Five live matches are coming your way on KCLR, and starting proceedings will be the All-Ireland minor semi-final between Kilkenny and Clare.
Kilkenny is ready for the Electric Ireland GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor Semi Final! Be there and show your colours
— Kilkenny GAA (@KilkennyCLG) May 16, 2023
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Advance ticket sales only. Get yours at https://t.co/SQRxESB2Q0 or selected SuperValu and Centra stores. Tickets €15, u-16’s free.
#GAABelong pic.twitter.com/bYc5AMOqE4
Semple Stadium, Thurles provides the backdrop for the 1 o’clock fixture between the beaten Leinster finalists and Munster Champions.
Speaking to KCLR Full Time this week, Cats manager Niall Bergin believes the inclusion and subsequent loss to Galway in the Leinster championship will only help Kilkenny going forward;
“I’m not making excuses but the facts are the facts. 12 months ago they weren’t in Leinster, Galway went along and annihilated and I mean annihilated Dublin in the Leinster semi final, as it was 2-16 to 3 points at halftime. “
“You could argue in another year Kilkenny could have been Leinster champions. We welcome Galway being in Leinster, it’s going to improve standards right across the Board and standards do need to be improved across the board. In Kilkenny as well. So look, that’s the reality and we’d be hoping that our lads would have done an awful lot of learning.”
"When we got the chance today we were never going to leave it behind us"
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 12, 2023
Comhghairdeas le Aaron Niland Laoch na hImeartha inniu agus é tuilte go maith aige 🏆@ClarinbridgeGaa @Galway_GAA@gaaleinster @ElectricIreland pic.twitter.com/Kfb3yOmLik
See also: Kilkenny v Galway, Electric Ireland Leinster minor hurling championship final
“It is obviously a disappointing result. We played against a very, very strong team, in fairness the Galway hurlers were excellent. We knew that, and we know that for the last few years.”
“In terms of our own performance, the lads gave it absolutely everything. We could not have asked for more in terms of work rate and determination. We know we need to improve as we move forward in the competition. Quite possibly, I do not think the winning margin reflected the actual match, maybe I could be way off on that. Having watched the match back a few times though, I feel we left chances behind us, I am sure Galway feels the same.”
“Look the Leinster campaign is done and dusted now, so it is all systems go for Clare this weekend.”
Listen back to the full interview on Full-time below with Martin Quilty:
