"Under-21s is a great age group. Lads can go out, open up and express themselves. Everyone's kind of on the same boat. There's no team better than another."
Limerick's Cian Lynch sets the scene for the Bord Gais Energy All Ireland Under-21 semi finals double header which will see his own side take on Galway at 6pm this Saturday, a couple of hours after Kilkenny and Derry will have faced off in the first of the semi finals.
Speaking to Off The Ball's Stephen Doyle, Lynch expanded on the different emphasis for players in his age grade: "It's totally different to senior hurling. It's freedom and opening up and that's what we've tried to do so far and please God, we'll try and do it Saturday as well."
Limerick are favourites to go all the way, with the county having enjoyed All Ireland victory at under-21 level as recently as 2015. Lynch himself was involved that year and scored in the final against Wexford.
"It's rare enough in Limerick that you're a favourite and as a player we try not to look at that or take much heed of it. But Pat Donnelly said to us to keep our heads down and keep working away and that's what we've done in training, training hard and appreciate what's ahead of us," he said.
Galway have not played any games in the Championship this year prior to the Limerick game and Thomas Monaghan admits "it is a disadvantage" for he and his Galway team-mates.
"The Minors and Under-21s would benefit from moving to Leinster but at the same time we're not going to be using that as an excuse," he said, contrasting the situation for Galway's seniors who get provincial games in Leinster.
Monaghan has got a taste of senior setup experience and he spoke to Stephen about the benefits, including the way in which Joe Canning is always ready and willing to impart advice to young talent.
"When he watches you playing, he gives you little nuggets of advice," he said.
Kilkenny, meanwhile, saw their seniors exit the Championship early but the Cats' Under-21s got through some tough matches in Leinster to get within a win of an All Ireland final. 
Conor Delaney had praise for his manager Eddie Brennan.
"Eddie's very good, a very good manager," he told Stephen, "He's new to it alright but he's very good, very approachable and a very hand's on manager."
Success in 2017 for the county now rests on the Under-21s but Delaney added that the pressure is something they're not feeling.
"Maybe outside the group, there might be a small amount of expectation but within the group everyone's really concentrated on their own job," he said.
Derry defeated Antrim and Down to take their first Ulster title since 2008 to set up a clash against Kilkenny.
For player Ciaran Steele, it's a great sign of progress for the county's hurlers, highlighting that a majority of players would have a football background, bringing some physicality to their style of play.
"It's fantastic for the players and for the county as a whole and it gives us a wee bit of confidence going into the All Ireland semi final. Some people might have thought we wouldn't get into an All Ireland semi final, but here we are," he said, adding that Derry are relishing going into the Kilkenny match as underdogs.
The players were in Dublin today to look ahead to this weekend’s Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 All-Ireland semi-finals. The double header will take place in Semple Stadium, Thurles on Saturday afternoon, with Derry and Kilkenny throwing in at 4.00pm and Galway and Limerick commencing at 6.00pm. Fans unable to attend the game can catch all the action live on TG4 or can follow #HurlingToTheCore online.
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