Ronan Mac Lochlainn – 08 April 2014 03:30 PM
Both of Sunday’s protagonists languish far behind table-toppers Kilkenny in the Leinster Minor Hurling Championship roll of honour, with the Cats having tasted success on 54 occasions since the competition’s inception in 1928, writes Rónán Mac Lochlainn.
Dublin’s first title was won in the competition’s inaugural year due to a registration technicality which forced Kilkenny’s removal from the final and, in 1945 and 1946, they followed up Leinster honours with success at national level.
A barren run ensued, with only a solitary Leinster title claimed between 1965 and 2005 (1983) before three more arrived in 2007, 2011 and 2012.
Given their tradition, Wexford have a surprisingly poor record at minor level, with their previous provincial success arriving as long ago as 1985, when they beat Kilkenny in the final by 0-12 to 0-8.
They have contested 10 finals since then, coming out on the wrong side on each and every occasion, including a 2-15 to 1-14 defeat at the hands of Dublin two years ago.
Kilkenny (54): 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.
Dublin (14): 1928, 1938, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1965, 1983, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2012.
Wexford (7): 1963, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1980, 1985.
Offaly (4): 1986, 1987, 1989, 2000.
Laois (4): 1934, 1940, 1941, 1964.
Meath (1): 1929.
