Black and Amber Alert! Make sure to be in situ before 1.30pm this Sunday at Croke Park — as the Kilkenny and Clare Minor hurlers are expected to serve up a treat in the ESB All-Ireland MHC Final — with the counties already well balanced having faced each other on three occasions to date this year.
And it’s firmly on a knife-edge with a win, a draw and a loss for each of the sides in their three meetings so far this year.
Challenge matches they may have been, but that doesn’t lessen the competitiveness of these tussles, as the Kittens hope to do their part on the way to a first Sunday in September All-Ireland hurling double this weekend.
For 14 of the 32-strong panel, Sunday’s Minor decider will provide their own personal opportunity of an All-Ireland double this year, with those players including team captain Cillian Buckley involved in St Kieran’s All-Ireland Colleges SHC win over Limerick’s Ardscoil Ris at Semple Stadium earlier this year.
Dicksboro clubman Buckley says his side will have it tough against the Banner County this weekend.
“It’s a new scene, and a new season for us. We got through that Colleges final alright and there is a fair few of us involved from St Kieran’s, but we were always looking ahead to the county scene and it doesn’t give us any extra bonus really,” he said.
“It was a totally different campaign, but we will push on from that one and hopefully make a good year out of it.
“We had a strong team in St Kieran’s this year and obviously went on to win the All-Ireland, and there has been a lot of players who have come through from that, but there are good players from Kilkenny CBS, Callan and all around who have been vital to this panel also.
“It’s not only Kieran’s supplying the team, and it’s great to have a good spread from around the county also.”
Buckley is delighted to have the Senior team also present on All-Ireland final Sunday as it helps take the pressure off his squad.
“It’s always great to be able to look up to them. They inspire us really and it will be all the sweeter to watch them win after winning ourselves I suppose.
“Hopefully we will do that on the day.”
Buckley’s Clare counterpart Paul Flanagan has a bit of an insight into the Kilkenny camp, with his cousin Ben O’Connor from Danesfort a vital part of the Cats squad.
“We know them well alright, and we have also faced teams from Kilkenny at (second level ) colleges and stuff also. We'll have no fear. We have played them a number of times before and we are just looking forward to the final," he said.
Flanagan feels privileged and honoured to be leading his county into battle, but also points to the strong leadership qualities which exist throughout the squad.
"Obviously it is a massive honour for my club and my family and so on. Then again my role is very subdued. Everyone puts in massive effort and there are so many leaders on the field."
The former St Flannan's College pupil is hoping to begin a course in PE teaching in University of Limerick in the coming weeks, and he has been impressed with what he has seen to date from their final opponents.
"Obviously Kilkenny had a great win in the semi-final, and there is no doubt that they are firm favourites in the final.
"We'll be just concentrating on our own performance and hoping to go out to Croke Park and do the business."
