Tipperary and Kilkenny All-Ireland minor final looks set to be a cracker

A thrilling All-Ireland Minor Hurling final is in store this Saturday evening on Noreside. Munster champions Tipperary and Leinster champions Kilkenny will go into the game with a similar mindset.

Both counties are backed with famed histories and another page full of drama and excitement will be added to the story when the counties meet in yet another All-Ireland final. 

The venue, Nowlan Park, has historically been a difficult one for Tipperary teams - for most county teams for that matter - but as of late the luck has been in for Tipperary, and this once-off fixture will hold no fear for a genuine, hardworking and confident side that have performed well to date under pressure.

James Woodlock managed Tipperary to All-Ireland final glory two years ago at the same venue.

That day his team were met by an Offaly whirlwind, which quietened rapidly with a late Tipp goal to seal the win, so “Woody” and his management team will know how best to approach this game. 

Crowd-wise, Saturday won’t be half as intimidating as that afternoon was. 

For this game, it is fair to say that the crowd will be an even spread, as Kilkenny supporters don’t have that feverish thirst for success that Offaly sides have brought to hurling over the past three years.

Tipp supporters expected to travel in force

Of course the home support will be vocal but the support will be evenly spread, with a huge Tipperary following expected, as the county desperately hopes for a minor All-Ireland success to take some of the sting away from the senior and Under 20 campaigns.

The Tipperary players will need to perform to their best and Cillian Minogue, who struck 0-7 from play against Galway in the semi final, will be a key man to finding a way to glory. 

Likewise Euan Murray, who hit 1-4 last time out and Stefan Tobin, the powerful Carrick Swan hurler at full forward, will have important roles to play. 

Kilkenny will bring the firepower too at number 14 with their full forward Jake Mullan the key man for the Cats. A lot of their play revolves around ball dropping around the edge of the “D”, where Mullan usually operates. 

The younger brother of senior star Adrian hit 0-13 in their semi final win over Clare and was the fulcrum of their attack. 

Bill McDermott struck 0-3 from play that day and can set up teammates with a quick turn, so he is another player to watch ultra closely in the game. 

Tipperary’s defence has been their rock all year. 

Killenaule’s Owen O’Dwyer at six and full back Cathal O’Reilly are both leaders for Woodlock’s side, so the individual tussles that emerge will be fascinating to watch. 

As this season progressed, Tipperary showed great character to steady themselves and perform well under pressure and they will need that trait again on Saturday.

Niall Bergin’s Kilkenny side took extra time to overcome Clare in their semi final, with Tipperary also winning by a score in extra time in theirs, so the form lines for both sides suggest this game will be another high-scoring rollercoaster. 

Teams are so well organised and managed at the moment that the words of Páidi Ó Sé come to mind: “A grain of rice will tip the balance.”

It’s going to be that kind of game.  Don’t blink or you will miss something. Get along on Saturday and shout your heart out for Tipperary because it could make all the difference in the end.