The Kilkenny middle-class side are the last county team in action of the year and will be looking to bring home an All-Ireland victory this weekend.

The Cats will face runners-up Cork in the final, while Kilkenny will be aiming for their third title in this division.

Ahead of Sunday’s game at Croke Park, Kilkenny head coach Seamus Kelly stressed the importance of having a second team in a county.

“The middle school has been a pioneer for the high school for years and has helped the girls grow and become better players.

“Some of Kilkenny’s All-Star players started out in this grade and this experience is hugely important as it helps the younger players understand what it is like to play at the highest level.

“We have a good mix of experience and youth on our side and hopefully that will help us in the final.

“Some players need a few years to figure out what is required and what makes the difference at national level can be small things.”

There is currently talk about the feasibility of having two teams within one county, but for the Mount Rangers clubman, this was a huge advantage from Kilkenny’s perspective and he cites Sophie O’Dwyer’s winning goal in the 2022 senior final, a year after her appearance in the interim decider, as a good example of what can be achieved.

“Some players need a few years to find their feet and understand what makes the difference at national level, it can be small things.

“We know that the system works and that the girls have largely successfully transitioned between the two teams.

“For me, the gap between finishing the youth team and joining the senior team is too big. The middle school is an opportunity to develop the players and gives the girls the chance to gain their first experience and see what is required.

“It allows them to make mistakes and learn from them and grow. That’s important too, because as you move up to the higher semesters, the intensity increases tenfold.”

“I think it also helps to get middle school teams involved in this competition because I think it helps other counties figure out where they need to go as well.

“There were a lot of significant defeats in this year’s senior championship and that can’t be good for their progress. So when a number of things come together, you at least get a good reality check of where you stand and I think that’s what middle school teams do.”

Despite the challenges involved, Kelly has enjoyed his tenure so far and believes it has made him better as a coach.

“It’s like any coaching job: There will be good days and bad days, and there will be days when things go well and bad for you.

“Sometimes it can be difficult to build a competitive team, but you also have to be aware that you can lose players both up and down the ladder, so you try to keep the right balance.

“I would like to say that I have become a much better manager and coach over the last two years and whenever this journey ends, I will definitely look back on my time here with a lot of positivity,” he continued.

Kilkenny are now just one win away from an All-Ireland title and Kelly knows they have a huge opportunity.

“Every team that sets a target at the start of the year has the ultimate aim of reaching Croke Park on All-Ireland final day. There were 13 teams competing so we’re just happy to be in the final two.

“I know it’s great to get to the final, but when we get to Croke Park and cross the white line we want to go all the way.

“As nice as it is to have come here, it can be lonely to be on the wrong side of the result, but I think we are in a good place.

“We’ve had to recover a lot of body parts over the last few days, but the mood and energy in the dressing room is great and we’re definitely looking forward to the challenge ahead.”