Kilkenny in search of some September cheer

The latter stages of the senior hurling All-Ireland is motoring along quite nicely without them, thank you very much, and it’s nine years since a side featuring TJ Reid and Richie Hogan claimed the last of their 11 national U21 titles with a defeat of Tipperary.

What a year that was. The Marble City played host to the Liam MacCarthy, James Nowlan and Irish Press trophies, but that tidal wave has slowed to, if not a trickle, then a far more inconsistent stream of silverware.

This year’s minors, like Brian Cody’s side, won’t be troubling September which leaves Eddie Brennan’s charges shouldering the full weight of expectation as they approach today’s U21 semi-finals in Thurles.