Kilkenny minor hurling manager Richie Mulrooney says reaching the All-Ireland decider is an important stepping stone on the way to becoming adult hurlers.
Speaking to KCLR after Kilkenny lost Sunday’s All-Ireland Final decider to Galway, Richie says the young players can bounce back and become stronger from last Sunday’s experience.
“Let’s not forget about all the people who look after them when they start hurling at 4 or 5 in their clubs”, said Mulrooney.
“And then they go into their primary schools and their secondary schools and they are looked after at club level at Under-14, 16, and 18. I know it’s gone down to 13, 15, and 17 now, all the great work that is done in Kilkenny squads with them as well.”
“Everybody is part of the process, and sure the greatest day of all is when the Kilkenny seniors win an All-Ireland.”
“It all comes from this and the Minor All-Ireland is just a stepping stone and an important stepping stone, and it’s great to be getting into a final and that, but it’s just a stepping stone into becoming adult hurlers.”
Stepping stone or otherwise, the younger Cats gave it all they had in Sunday’s decider.
Despite leading 0-10 to 0-09 at the break, Galway’s resurgence shone through in the second half, pulling away from Kilkenny in the closing quarter of the game to seal a 0-21 to 0-14 victory.
