A new chapter in the storied rivalry between Kilkenny and Tipperary is set to begin.
Both teams, tied with 21 All-Ireland minor titles each, are vying for a record-breaking 22nd win. For Kilkenny, this match carries even more significance, as they have not claimed the championship since 2014. Many players from that victorious team, like Conor Delaney, Tommy Walsh, and Liam Blanchfield, have since made their mark on the senior stage.
The current crop of Kilkenny minors now has a chance to end a decade of waiting and start a new era. They can carve their own path and set the tone for what could be a fresh, long-lasting rivalry with these Tipperary players.
In yesterday’s gripping semi-final, Kilkenny edged past Clare in extra time. Jake Mullen had a Man of the Match performance scoring 13 points and helping drive his team to victory. Kilkenny manager Niall Bergin expressed his pride in the team’s perseverance and heart.
“We were just delighted,” Bergin said. “It was some game of hurling and there’s tremendous heart in that team. It was some fight and I think a lesser team would have folded. We hit a lot of wides early on and Clare hit us with two goals very quickly. But the lads stayed at it and stayed at it and stayed battling. I’m just thrilled for them. They’re a brilliant group of players and just thrilled to get over the line and look forward to an All-Ireland final now.”
On the other side, Tipperary secured their place in the final after an intense semi-final against Galway at the TUS Gaelic Grounds. Tipperary ultimately emerged victorious of a Galway team who had a Tribesman sent off on a score of 1-24 to 0-26 after extra time.
As the final approaches, these young players have the opportunity to lay the foundation for a new era of competition between Kilkenny and Tipperary. While they may not yet be titans of the sport, they are certainly the future, and this match could be the beginning of a rivalry that will unfold over the next 15 years.
Listen back to the game below:
