Kilkenny manager Tom Hogan looks ahead to Celtic Challenge final with Tipperary

One week on from Kilkenny's Leinster Minor Championship victory, there's an opportunity for more underage success when the Cats face Tipperary in the final of the Celtic Challenge this afternoon.

The Celtic Challenge side is in essence a Minor B team and after winning all of their games thus far, Tom Hogan's side will fancy their chances of coming out on top.

''For the lads it's fantastic, it's the Minor B competition and all the lads that are playing are up to 17.

''I'm sure some of them are disappointed that they didn't make the minor panel but this is the next best thing for them I suppose.

''It's a development squad and hopefully lads will emerge from it and get on the under 20 panel in the coming years. 

''If you don't make your county minor panel, this is the secondary competition and with some players maturing later than others, it gives them lads a chance to develop.

''We have fellas there who have never being on development squads all the way up and being in final which is great'', the Kilkenny boss said in advance of today's game.

The importance of the Celtic Challenge?

''This competition is all about giving lads games, we've 34 on the panel and they've all got gametime in the last few weeks.

''We started very early this year back in January so that gives lads a chance as we've done a fair bit of training on and off the field so the lads are very well conditioned and hopefully they've learned a lot along the way. ''

''We've won all our games so far to get to the final but the game against Tipperary will be another learning for the lads and all we can do is hopefully see the lads perform on the day.

''If we can get a good performance we'll be happy enough and we'll see that bring us.

''Having the final in Nowlan Park is a big thing for the lads aswell as unless you get to a final with your club or school, you don't get many opportunities to play there.

''We did play East Cork there a few weeks ago which was a nice bonus and a lot of the lads were in at the Kilkenny and Wexford game last Sunday and I'm sure that's the long term goal for lads to try and reach the senior squad'', Hogan continued.

The Celtic Challenge manager has huge experience of coaching at club, school anc county level and admits that his team are just concentrating on themselves as they look to improve.

''We've played Tipperary before but we're not sure who they'll have, at the end of the day it's a Kilkenny and Tipperary clash and at this age we'll just go out and play our own game without worrying too much about the opponents.

''We'll just go out and play the game as it's not like senior level where everything is analysed and the great thing about the competition is that we can use unlimited subs up to now and that's what it's all about.

''It allows lads to put on the Kilkenny jersey and hopefully they'll get the appetite for it''.

Throw-in for the game in UPMC Nowlan Park is at 2.30pm

Kilkenny team to face Tipperary: Conor Farrell (Carrickshock); Dara Behan (James Stephens), Pierce Costello (Dunnamaggin), Jeff Tyrrell (James Stephens); Luke Lawlor (Clara), Thomas Langton (Young Irelands), Jamie Tallon (Dunnamaggin); Ciaran Hickey (Dunnamaggin), Kieran Timmins (Young Irelands); Aidan Carroll (Mooncoin), James Reid (Glenmore), Cathal Russell (Tullaroan); Jack Coogan (St Martin's), Fionn Mahony (Danesfort), Shane McDonald (Barrow Rangers).

Subs: Robert Coogan (Erins Own), Calum Murphy (Danesfort), Cian Doherty (Thomastown), Calum Lawlor (Emeralds), Robbie Jackman (John Lockes), Michael Ruane (St Martin's), Cian O'Shea (Graignamanagh), Oisin Mullally (Glenmore), Tom Shore (St Martin's), Jack Walsh (O'Loughlin Gaels), DJ Knox (Piltown), Philip Carrigan (Clara), Tadhg Power (St Martin's), Luke Kerwick (Dicksboro), Alec Kerr (Erin's Own), Zac O'Halloran (John Lockes), Zac Scanlon (James Stephens), Tim Doherty (Dunnamaggin), Joe Cooney (Piltown).

Management- Tom Hogan (Graigue Ballycallan), Gordan Byrne (Erin's Own), Liam Lacey (St Patrick's), Tom O'Hanlon (Mooncoin), Ronan Tierney (Graignamanagh)