U17 hurlers ready for Leinster final against Kilkenny

Tue, 13th June 2017

Dublin’s under-17 hurlers face Kilkenny this Sunday in their Leinster U17HC final in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise (12.0).

The Dubs have beaten Offaly and Wexford already to progress to Sunday’s decider but know they face their greatest examination yet against the Cats.

“We saw Kilkenny in their semi-final and they were very strong,” says Dublin U17 (and minor) manager Fintan Clandillon.

“Of course, they played with great physicality throughout but the most noticeable thing is that they are all brilliant hurlers.

“We are so excited about the final on Sunday. As a group, we are just really looking forward to the match and, in fairness, it cannot come quick enough for all of us.

“After beating Offaly and Wexford, we have put ourselves in a position where we want to be and while we acknowledge that Kilkenny are a very strong team, we cannot worry too much about them.

“We have to make sure that we play to our potential on the day and to play the game on its merits,” adds Fintan.

“We have tended to finish strongly in both those games and naturally, we are encouraged by that aspect of our game.

“However, we have probably put ourselves in a position that was not ideal and I would certainly look for an improvement from how we played in the first-half of our semi-final against Wexford.

“We have to get out there and play from the start because if we don’t, it’s unlikely that an improvement in the second-half will make that much of a difference,” concludes Fintan.

Meanwhile, this Saturday in Abbotstown (time, tbc) Dublin Plunkett will face Limerick City in the Celtic Challenge Division 3 (Corn William Robinson) semi-final.

PATHS TO LEINSTER U17HC FINAL

DUBLIN

Dublin 1-20 Offaly 0-15

Dublin 2-20 Wexford 0-17

KILKENNY

Kilkenny 0-22 Wexford 0-14

Kilkenny 2-17 Offaly 0-11