'It’s exposing players' - Kilkenny minor boss speaks out on championship structure

The Kilkenny minor hurlers are gearing up for an All-Ireland semi-final clash against Waterford with the neighbours set to meet in Wexford on Saturday evening (throw-in 7.35pm).

Niall Bergin’s team go into the last four clash with a Leinster title already in the bag as they look to book their place in the All-Ireland final for the second year in a row.

Ahead of the game, the Cats boss outlined how he’s happy with how the team has progressed thus far in 2025.

"The year has been very positive and the lads have done very well," he said. "Our initial aim was to win a Leinster title and thankfully that has been achieved.

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"All eyes now turn to an All-Ireland semi-final against a very good Waterford side on Saturday. In terms of our development and where we want to be, it’s one more step to a final and that has been the big aim all year."

Kilkenny have been in fine form so far this term with five victories in total during the Leinster success, including the final win over Galway and Bergin feels they are moving in the right direction.

"Between challenge and championship games, we are probably in double digits with games now at this stage which is fantastic."

"It’s exposing players to big stages and games in big venues which gives them plenty of experience and we now have a proper sense of our panel and where things are at," the manager continued.

Kilkenny go into this weekend on the back of a three-week break while Waterford come into the last four clash after an All-Ireland quarter-final success over Limerick. It remains to be seen which will serve as the better preparation.

"We’ll know more on Saturday night how important the break was, but it is something we really needed all the same," said Bergin. “We nearly had more or less five weeks on the go through the Leinster campaign and it’s given the lads an opportunity to decompress for a few days and also to be refreshed.

"It’s also given the opportunity to clear up a few injuries after a busy few weeks of action."

Like Kilkenny, the Deise qualified for a provincial final and while they fell up short on a 1-20 to 2-15 scoreline against Cork, the narrow margin shows that they will be potent opposition in Wexford.

"We would have already played them in two challenge games earlier this year and we know that they are a good side with a huge overlap of last year’s group.

"They are also a big strong athletic team and they were close against a very good Cork side and maybe that’s a sign about how good the Munster Championship was this year as there’s three counties left alongside ourselves in the semi-finals.

"We know it will be a big step up and if you trace back form over the last number of years, the Munster sides would have featured well at the latter end of the competitions they were taking part in so that’s been reflected in this year’s minor semi-final lineup.

"We’ve been improving as the championship has gone on and we will be ready to go on again," Bergin added.

Cork and Clare complete the semi-final lineup and they will meet in Semple Stadium, Thurles on Sunday but it’s a Saturday night encounter for Kilkenny and Waterford and while the late throw-in at Chadwicks Wexford Park is far from perfect, the minor boss is still hoping for big support from the county.

"In fairness if you were picking times for games it’s probably not ideal but it is what it is and it’s the same for both counties," he said.

"I’d be hoping Kilkenny will be well supported as I know Waterford will travel in big numbers. It’s important that the Kilkenny public come out and back these youngsters as it’s fantastic to be in an All-Ireland semi-final.

"You’d be hoping that the game will be well attended and that we can make another step towards making an All-Ireland final."

With the Kilkenny senior team clinching the Leinster title trio in Croke Park on Sunday, the Cats will be looking to continue the winning momentum.

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"Thankfully we have three Leinster titles in Kilkenny this year between the minors, under-20s and seniors," he finished. "We’re next up on Saturday evening so it’d be nice to emulate the 20s and reach an All-Ireland decider towards the end of June - that’s the aim.

"Everything has gone well for us in the build-up and Kilkenny hurling looks to be in great health as it stands and getting players through is still important too."

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