Tribe minor and U21s must join Leinster

LEINSTER SHC SEMI-FINAL:

Since just before the turn of the millennium Galway (six titles – 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2011) and Kilkenny (four — 2002, 2003, 2008 & 2010) have won the lion’s share of All-Ireland minor titles between them. In four of those years the two counties provided both finalists (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009), Galway also reaching a further three finals (2000, 2006, 2012).

Stepping up to U21, already the falloff in Galway is starting to happen. At this grade it’s Kilkenny leading the roll in the same period, five titles (1999, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008) to Galway’s three (2005, 2007, 2011), Galway losing a further five finals, Kilkenny losing three (they met just once, Kilkenny winning in 2003).

At senior level though... well, we all know the story there. Nine titles for Kilkenny, a desert for Galway.

As the teams head for Tullamore this Sunday in the Leinster semi-final (4pm), what will it take for Galway to maximise the return from all that talent? Michael Walsh, double All-Ireland senior winner (1992, 1993) and double All Star, was manager of the Kilkenny U21 team for four years from 2008 to 2011, won in his first year but lost to Galway in his last.

He does not think there is any mystery involved. It’s about games and it’s about time, he reckons, the Galway minors and U21s joined their senior counterparts in Leinster.

“Without question, yes. It’s been a great move for their seniors, revived an ailing Leinster championship. Galway gave it a huge boost, were instant contenders. I think it would have the same effect for the minors and U21s. Maybe that’s the main reason Galway don’t advance. When you’re playing only two or three games a year, an All-Ireland semi-final and final, it’s easy to get the impression you have a better team and better players than you have. You can hit form on a certain day and get the win but you learn a lot more about players over a longer campaign, even if you eventually lose. For their own development it would be a great idea for Galway to go into Leinster.”

That’s been the case with Kilkenny, Michael reckons. On the back of the U21 win in 1999 Brian Cody built his All-Ireland winning senior team (Henry Shefflin, Michael Kavanagh, Noel Hickey, Seán Dowling, Aidan Cummins, Jimmy Coogan, Richie Mullally), adding to those from time to time over the following 15 years, constantly changing and reinforcing.

“Initially the younger guys found it harder to break onto the team,” Michael pointed out. “There was no way through for them with the senior team so successful, and many of those seniors still in their prime. When I first got involved with the U21s Richie Hogan and TJ Reid were there and they were going to be seniors no matter what. Several others though have also come through since, Paul Murphy, Colin Fennelly, Walter Walsh, then the likes of Cillian Buckley, Pádraig Walsh, Lester Ryan, who was there the same year as Colin and Paul, and now Mark Kelly.

“After Kilkenny lost in Leinster last year and then lost in the All-Ireland qualifiers, never made it to Croke Park, there’s been a new focus again this year and a few new players coming through. Hopefully that success continues. In Galway’s case that isn’t happening. There’s no doubt they’ve lost quite a number of talented younger players.”

So, bring them into Leinster. There is resistance to the idea in some counties. Michael, however, would have no problem with it.

“None. Look, the big one was the senior and that’s already accepted. I understand it will be more difficult to win a Leinster title, but, in the greater scheme of things, it would benefit hurling, and Leinster particularly. I don’t think anyone should be afraid of more competition anyway, it’s something you should embrace.”

Notwithstanding all that, Michael is wary of the Galway challenge Sunday.

“Leinster has become very competitive, has evened itself out over since Galway came in and anyone who knows anything about hurling knows this has the makings of a great game.”