Mulrooney optimistic Cats can maintain rate of development

GIVEN their tremendous record at minor hurling, it’s hard to credit that Kilkenny haven’t won the All-Ireland title since 2003.

Tipperary stand in their way of reaching another final, and with the Premier County looking to win their third title in-a-row, all the ingredients are there for a great semi-final tomorrow.

Earlier in the year, all the talk in Leinster was about Dublin and Wexford at minor level, with Kilkenny a poor third, but according to their coach Richie Mulrooney, once they got their squad together, the feeling was one of optimism.

“At the start of the season we were given little hope of winning Leinster, never mind the All-Ireland. We were seen as being a bit behind Dublin and Wexford, and rightly so, as we had struggled at under 14 and 16 against them.

“As soon as we held a few trial games we realised that we had a fine crop of players. We have no Joe Canning type of player with us, but they are all very good with the hurl and very committed to Kilkenny which is always essential.

“Early in the Leinster final against Wexford there was little between the teams but we then hit 1-4 without reply and went on to win comfortably, and that has given the lads an awful lot of confidence.

“However the level required for tomorrow’s game is three steps up from that. My gut feeling is that Tipperary don’t have a whole lot more than we have. The view among the Kilkenny supporters is that a win would be a bonus, but the selectors don’t see it that way.”

Tipperary coach Tommy Dunne recalls meeting Kilkenny in the build up to their opening game in the Munster championship and says they were a very serious outfit even then.

“Going on our current form, we wouldn’t be good enough for Kilkenny tomorrow, but you never know with minors. If the lads can produce a big performance then you never know what will happen.”

Referring back to the Munster final defeat at the hands of Cork, Tommy was very disappointed with his side’s display that day in Páirc Ui Chaoimh.

“Our performance in that game was way below what I expected from the lads, but at the end of the day only a point separated the sides (0-19 to 0-18) and you cannot take it from Cork, they played well on the day.”

The talk of winning three titles in a row may have weighed heavily on Tipperary in the build up to the Munster final but the defeat by Cork may well be a blessing in disguise for Tommy Dunne’s side.

“While no one likes losing, the defeat by Cork has taken some of the pressure off and while we had it relatively easy against Antrim in the quarter-final, Kilkenny on their current form, will start favourites tomorrow which will suit us fine.”