Kilkenny started their Leinster Under-20 Division 1 Leinster Hurling Championship campaign with a commanding 1-13 to 1-06 victory over Wexford at Chadwicks Wexford Park on Saturday.
Speaking to KCLR Sport after the match, Kilkenny manager Mark Dowling praised his team’s impressive performance and ability to cope with the difficult weather conditions they faced.
“Good result, whether we one by a point of more it didn’t matter particularly on a day like today the weather was atrocious. From the moment we arrived here, it started to deteriorate with wind and rain. I thought we delt with it very well”.
The Kilkenny manager was pleased with how his team maintained their composure throughout the game, staying focused and ensuring they didn’t concede any easy penalties despite the challenging conditions.
“The discipline considering the conditions was the outstanding thing to me. The lads stayed very disciplined in their tackles and were very clued into minimizing any scoring chance from play”.
Dowling acknowledged the depth of talent within his squad, highlighting the constant competition for starting positions as key to maintaining high standards and driving the team forward.
“I think they’re all fighting to be included in the 15 or the 24. Some days it goes for lads other days it doesn’t but they’re all hugely valued members of the 36. Hopefully next week we’re out against Dublin and maybe there’ll be one or two more who didn’t get game time today, will see game time”.
Kilkenny will be aiming for another victory when they host Dublin in the second round of the Leinster Championship on April 5th.
Article by Hannah Sharpe
