The Big Match is with thanks to George Corbett Skoda
The Waterford minor hurlers look to book their place in the All-Ireland Final on Saturday night, when they take on Leinster champions Kilkenny at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
The Deise take on the Cats in what is Waterford’s first semi-final appearance since 2014 – while Kilkenny were beaten in last year’s decider by Tipperary.
Waterford have beaten Limerick twice this year, while they’ve also toppled Tipperary and Clare en route to the last four.
Waterford manager James O’Connor is expecting a really tough test – but says preparations have gone as good as possible in the build-up.
“For a lot of these lads, it’s the biggest game of their career so I suppose really looking forward to it. Training has gone well. We’ve been very lucky weather-wise and everything. Injury-wise, we’re pretty much okay. Training is going good and everyone’s happy. Going back to last year, Kilkenny were in the All-Ireland Minor Final as well, and eight or nine of those lads are there again this year, so that’s a huge benefit to them. Their experience at this level is immense, and they have some exceptionally good young forwards – and it’s going to be a huge task on Saturday.”
16 May 2025; Jack Power of Waterford during the Electric Ireland GAA Hurling Munster Minor Championship final match between Cork and Waterford at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
O’Connor is hoping to see a huge travelling support make the trip to Chadwicks Wexford Park for the 7.35pm throw-in.
“They deserve as much support as a senior team would get. They’ve got to an All-Ireland Semi-Final, first time in 11 or 12 years – and it’d be great to get that push over the line, because this means a huge amount to them. This is the biggest game of their careers, to go one step further would be massive. We do it because we love it, and we want to progress, and we want to see young talent in this county progress on to senior and that’s what it’s all about.”
“These lads to progress, and they want to go on and win silverware. We want to win silverware this year, and wouldn’t lifting an All-Ireland be unbelievable.”
The Big Match is with thanks to George Corbett Skoda
WLR will bring you the game LIVE on WLR XTRA thanks to George Corbett Skoda – join Kieran O’Connor and Sean Power for LIVE commentary from 7.20pm.
For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.
