Young and hungry

You are aware of Ger Loughnane’s team of bachelors who won the 1995 All-Ireland hurling title, and going back 20 years further, the Mick O’Dwyer-coached Kerry side which caught Dublin in ’75. Youngsters, carefree and unafraid.

However, Dungarvan will field a truly fresh-faced 15 in tomorrow’s Waterford SHC final. Clubman Johnny Murphy, of this parish, points out that Waterford star Jamie Nagle is the oldest player on the team at 27, and Déise panellist Gavin Crotty is the next oldest at 23.

“They’re the youngest team ever to contest a Waterford senior hurling final. The average age of the team is 20.8 years of age; three of them are minors and six are U21s, ” says Johnny.