Defensive solidarity crucial to Kilkenny’s Grand Slam dream

HAVING won the minor, intermediate and senior All-Ireland titles, Kilkenny bid to complete the clean sweep of hurling crowns with victory over Tipperary in tomorrow’s Bord Gáis U21 final at Croke Park.

Kilkenny are confident of achieving the quartet having won this grade 10 times since its inception in 1964, while their last success came in 2006 at the expense of the Premier County in a replay in Thurles.

Tipp have eight titles, the last won in 1995 when they defeated Kilkenny (1-14 to 1-10). Tomorrow’s clash in the ninth between these rivals with the record locked at four apiece.