New seasons, new horizons for McGrath

It’s a mark of the esteem in which Kilkenny hurling is held in Munster that the feeling generally in the province is that if you win an All-Ireland title without having overcome the Leinster giants, then your title is somewhat diminished.

Thus it is that for Clare’s Conor McGrath, captain of the side that meets the Cats in Thurles this evening in the Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 hurling championship final. Though still a minor, McGrath made an appearance that historic day three years ago when the Banner made the breakthrough at this grade with a 0-15 to 0-14 win over, yes you guessed it, the black and amber. The memories of that afternoon still send shivers down the spine.

McGrath admitted: “Clare don’t get to too many All-Ireland finals. When you do you’re probably going to be playing Kilkenny, they’re the benchmark in Ireland ever since I’ve been watching hurling anyway.