Brian Byrne motivated by Naas and Kildare's hurling evolution

Last December, there was a ripple on the club hurling scene, on what was a stacked weekend of games across the country.

Naas against Glenmore in the Leinster Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final did not jump off the fixture list that Saturday, but nonetheless threw up a notable result.

In a grade dominated by the Kilkenny champions, the Cats' representatives were beaten in the province for the first time in 10 years, with Naas deservedly downing Eoin Murphy and Co, 1-16 to 1-10.

They didn't stop at that. A provincial title followed before wins over Toreen of Mayo and Kilmoyley of Kerry saw them claim the All-Ireland title.

Becoming the first county 'senior' champions to win the All-Ireland Intermediate title since Carlow's Mount Leinster Rangers in 2012 affords Naas the right to compete in the Leinster Senior Championship after they retained their Kildare SHC title this year.

Mixing it with the big guns is exactly where this side wants to be.

"Definitely. There's no doubt about it. It's great to be in there," explains Naas and Kildare hurling captain Brian Byrne ahead of their clash with Offaly champions Shinrone on Saturday.

"It's very much unknown territory for us. We've never been there before. Last year's club win was at intermediate level, so this is another big step up. It's a complete unknown for us.

"For want of a better word, it's like bonus stuff. We'll try get our stuff in order and see where it goes.

"We'll just be looking at our first game and see where we get to."

The rise of the Naas hurlers is no mere Cinderella story. It is the fruits of significant focus on the small ball in the town, and also the county.

As seen in Kildare's ascension to the Joe McDonagh Cup ranks, along with notable underage results such