We’re really looking forward to Sunday: Minor hurling manager Fintan Clandillon

The two counties, Dublin and Kilkenny, who have dominated the Leinster MHC Roll of Honour in recent times meet in Sunday's Electric Ireland MHC final at Croke Park (2.0).

Since 2001 either Dublin or Kilkenny have won the Leinster MHC, with the Cats leading the way with 11 titles in that period compared to five for Dublin.

The Dubs will be hoping to retain the title they won last summer as well as added the provincial minor championship to the U17 championship they secured recently.

Dublin have beaten Laois and Wexford to reach Sunday's final and manager Fintan Clandillon knows his men face another step up in class from their victories over Laois and last time out against Wexford in the semi-final.

“There’s no question that we know what we are up against and it’s fair to say that they are more experience than we are.

“They will be backboned by two excellent college teams in St Kieran’s and Kilkenny CBS and they have hurlers all over the field," says Fintan.

“It’s a big test for our team but these are the situations that you want to be in at this time of year.

“We have been fortunate to have so many big matches with both the under-17s and the minors this year and these are the reasons that lads would have picked up a hurl in the first place.

“It’s important that we recognise the need to embrace occasions like this and grasp the opportunities when they come.

“Since we assembled, we have always had something in mind to the right way of playing hurling.

“Our age profile and style of play could well be suited to the wider expanses of Croke Park and we’re really looking forward to seeing how the lads fare on Sunday.

“Of course, Kilkenny have an ability to make any pitch seem smaller but all we can do is try to put in a performance on the day that matches the capabilities and talents of the players.

“We’re not going to fearful of the occasion and we’ll relish every minute of it,” concludes Fintan.

LEINSTER MHC ROLL OF HONOUR

Kilkenny (56 titles) 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1935, 1936,1937, 1939, 1942, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951,1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015

Dublin (15) 1928, 1938, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1965, 1983, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2016

Wexford (7) 1963, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1980, 1985

Offaly (4) 1986, 1987, 1989, 2000

Laois (4) 1934, 1940, 1941, 1964

Meath (1) 1929