Kilkenny begin their Bord Gais Energy Leinster Under 21 Hurling Championship defence next Wednesday night, when Offaly are the visitors to Nowlan Park (7.30pm ).
The Kilkenny Advertiser caught up with Danesfort's Paul Murphy who was on hand at Croke Park to help launch the Championship, and is hoping to go one better this year, having lost to first time champions Clare in last year's All-Ireland decider. "It was disappointing in the All-Ireland final, but it was one of those years. From a spectator’s point of view, the Under 21 Championship last year was unbelievable," he said. "I suppose a lot of people would have been expecting Tipperary to push on to win the All-Ireland last year, and then they were upset down in Thurles. "Clare pushed through them and they didn't stop, even accounting for Galway after extra-time in Thurles. "You don't like losing All-Ireland's, but it was one of those occasions where it was always going towards Clare." And Murphy says that the Under 21 championship is tougher to win than ever before, with more counties rising to the challenge and competing with a realistic chance for honours.
"There seems to be a wider spread now. Players that maybe lost minor a few years ago try to make amends for the Under 21's. "We lost to Tipperary at minor level a few years ago. A lot of the lads have come through who are really pushing for this year, and they really want to make amends for it."I remember back at Minor you had three or four teams (in with a chance of winning the All-Ireland ). This year there is six teams at least going for it, and there's no argument about that."
Looking ahead to Wednesday's game, Murphy is fully aware of the stiff test which Offaly will pose. "Three years ago Offaly played them down in Nowlan Park and they beat them fair and square that day.
"They had a great team and they came out strong. Even last year we played them in Nowlan Park and we just pipped them at the post. We were lucky to beat them. They struck with us. We needed a good match like that to push us on. We are playing them again this year, and we won't be lying back.
"We will be expecting them to come strong at us. They have a lot of last year's panel, and there won't be any hiding in Nowlan Park that evening." Looking at the senior panel, Murphy is glad to have already been given a chance by Brian Cody, and is appreciative of how the Cats senior boss gives plenty of players their opportunity on the big stage.
“With players coming through Brian gives huge opportunities for lads. He will always push lads to go through. The likes of Henry Shefflin and Noel Hickey aren't going to be around forever. He understands that, and he will always bring players through.”
"The likes of Tommy Walsh were pulled through from underage. At the end of the day for the Kilkenny Senior team it's about who you want to push off, if you are coming on which is the big thing.
At the moment it's a golden era, and it's not the end of the world if you aren't making the senior team. In time Brian Cody is making the opportunities there for the under 21's."
