Shane McGrath: Kilkenny 'are just out there to hurl' - they don't overthink it'

The aristocrats of hurling are back in another All-Ireland final.

On 23 July, Kilkenny will be looking to end an eight-year wait for Liam MacCarthy, while also out to stop a run of three straight defeats on hurling's biggest day. The second of those losses came against Limerick in 2022; there were just two points between the sides at the final whistle.

The likelihood is that another close-run encounter between the sides will be served up at the Jones' Road venue on Sunday week.

In the semi-final, Kilkenny held off a furious comeback from Clare to set up a rematch with the Shannonsiders.

A day on from that encounter, former Tipperary hurler Shane McGrath, perhaps not for the first time, spoke glowingly about the culture that permeates in the Marble County, a culture where there is the expectation that should you perform on the biggest days.

"They maximise, get the max out of themselves on the big day," McGrath told the RTÉ GAA Podcast.

"It's not a big deal if you have an outstanding game for Kilkenny in an All-Ireland final, you should have. That's what generations before you did and what generations after you will do."

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From his playing days, McGrath also recalled a moment that crystallised the 'Kilkenny way'.

"It was before an All-Ireland final and it was raining. I was worried about the boots I was going to wear. I looked over at Tommy Walsh and JJ (Delaney) and they were wearing moldies. I said to myself 'the boots are not concerning these boys today'. They are just out here to