"They are magical, they stand apart"

Coaching systems, diet plans and gym programs — integral components of an inter-county set-up, sure, but as Clare joint-manager Donal Moloney put it so bluntly on Saturday, they’re not worth a damn unless the raw talent is there.

The six-point win over Wexford ensured a third consecutive All-Ireland crown for the county’s U21 hurlers, a run of 14 championship matches since 2012 without defeat. Remarkable.

“They are magical, they stand apart,” said Moloney.