It’s a remarkable turnaround after the crushing disappointment of sustaining cruciate damage in 2020 Leinster Minor Final last July.
The injury also meant he missed the 2021 Championship that was played shortly afterward the minor final. However Paddy Langton made a quicker recovery than anticipated and now a mere ten months later, he remarkably has an All-Ireland U-20 Final to look forward to this Sunday against Limerick in Semple Stadium, Thurles.
Since returning to competitive action in March, he has begun to make up for lost time and his performances have certainly shown no sign of ring rustiness. Paddy made his return to action when coming on as a substitute in St. Kierans College All-Ireland Semi-Final win against St. Josephs Tulla (Clare), and he was rewarded with a starting place in the All-Ireland Final defeat against Ardscoil Ris of Limerick.
On the day Young Ireland’s clubman scored a single point but was one of St. Kieran’s better performers in their defeat to the Limerick School on St. Patricks Day.
It was an incredible achievement for the St. Kieran’s student to get the call-up to the Kilkenny U-20 Starting Team considering he is just out of the Minor(U-17) grade, & his progression to full recovery shows his persistent determination in returning to action.
Paddy has been one of Kilkenny’s leading performers on their route to the All-Ireland Final grabbing a point in their opening-round victory against Offaly, while in the Leinster Final firing over a superb long-range point at a vital stage.
Kilkenny goes into Sunday’s All-Ireland U-20 Final looking for their first title at the Grade since winning the U-21 Final back in 2008. Whatever the outcome on Sunday, you can expect nothing less than maximum effort from Paddy and his teammates as they attempt to end a 14-year wait to win the James Nowlan Cup.
That game has a throw-in time of 1.30 pm. Our commentary team will bring you all the action on-air and online with thanks to Gerry Comerford Drilling.
