Another minor classic beckons as Tipperary and Kilkenny clash in Nowlan Park

Tipperary and Kilkenny tossed for venue. Kilkenny won.

So today’s Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship final will take place at UPMC Nowlan Park (5.30).

They are expecting a show to match Bruce Springsteen’s recent gig at the venue, and then the U-20 All-Ireland hurling final.

On that wondrous night, Offaly beat Tipperary. The stadium was rocking. The turnstiles are sure to dance once more.

It’s live on TG4. They are playing for the Irish Press Cup. The counties of Kilkenny and Tipp, two giants of the ash, filled so many of its pages over the years.

Kilkenny and Tipperary top the minor championship leaderboard with 21 titles each.

Tipp had good memories of the Marble City. They won the All-Ireland minor title there in 2022, overcoming Offaly.

It’s 10 years since Kilkenny have lifted the minor crown. The locals have taken this side to their hearts.

It’s little wonder. They have shown the resolve to keep getting up off the canvas. They never know when they are beaten. The best-known secret of the Cody code.

Tipp too have shown grit. They kept going when the sun wasn’t always shining.

They beat Clare in the Munster final. They had lost to them in the round-robin section, conceding 4-11.

In the All-Ireland semi-final, they needed extra-time to overcome Galway.

Kilkenny also required extra-time to beat Clare. That was the most dramatic of semi-finals.

Kilkenny were eight points down. They edged it in the closing moments of extra-time.

Kilkenny’s early-season form wasn’t inspiring the poetry in the Kilkenny People. They lost two of their opening group games and finished last in the pool.

They have Jake Mullen in sharp form. He’s a brother of senior Kilkenny player Adrian.

Eoin Brennan, Ollie O’Donovan and Bill McDermott have also been excelling for the black and amber.

Tipp’s defence has been like the Rock of Cashel. Outstanding have been full-back Cathal O’Reilly and centre half-back Owen O’Dwyer.

Cillian Minogue and Euan Murray have been compiling generous harvests.

When Tipp collected minor gold two years ago, James Woodlock was the team manager. He still wears the bib.

“What a competition we have in the minor championship,” he states. “Looking back at our semi-final against Galway, hurling was the winner.

“What an advert for the game that was.”

Kilkenny manager Niall Bergin feels the fans will be well rewarded.

“They were two very good All-Ireland semi-finals,” he said.

“Both teams know each other well. We played them in a challenge a few months ago. There was only a puck of a ball in it that day and I think it will be the same again.”

All are looking forward to an enchanting evening by the Nore.

And nobody is sure what the band will play as the curtain falls – Slievenamon or The Rose of Mooncoin.

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