Bad memories of playing Waterford, weights in the Galway set-up and Conor Whelan's rise

Thomas Monaghan was speaking ahead of Galway’s All-Ireland U21 semi-final with Limerick on Saturday.

Thomas Monaghan was in Dublin to look ahead to this weekend’s Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 All-Ireland semi-finals. Fans unable to attend the game can catch all the action live on TG4 or can follow #HurlingToTheCore online. Sam Barnes / SPORTSFILE Sam Barnes / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

THESE ARE HEADY days for Thomas Monaghan.

In his first year on the Galway senior panel, the youngster is preparing for an All-Ireland final against Waterford next month.

He featured off the bench in Galway’s Leinster final win and is a viable attacking option for Micheal Donoghue for the closing stages of the highly-anticipated clash against the Deise.

“It’s been enjoyable,” Monaghan says of his debut campaign.

“It’s what you dream about when you’re younger. You go to these matches and you support the players and look up to them so much. When you get a chance to actually train alongside them it’s brilliant.

“At the same time you have to try and make your own mark as well in it. You get advice along the way off the different players which you take on board and it’s brilliant experience.”

Thomas Monaghan and Sean Loftus Oisin Keniry / INPHO Oisin Keniry / INPHO / INPHO

Monaghan has previous with Waterford, having lost last year’s All-Ireland U21 final to the star-studded Deise side.

“We were beaten comprehensively by Waterford. That was a tough day to take. We never really got to grips with them. They got a goal after 16 seconds and we were beaten well in the end.

“It was a disappointing experience after training hard for the final we never got going. We’re hoping we’ll come out on the right side this time.”

He’s picked up plenty of silverware on the way too, having won a minor All-Ireland in 2015 and the Fitzgibbon Cup with Mary I earlier this year.

On Saturday, Monaghan is one of four seniors on the Tribesman team who take on All-Ireland favourites Limerick in the U21 semi-final, alongside Conor Whelan, Sean Loftus and Jack Grealish.

“Predominantly we’ve been with the seniors and we’ve been with the U21s a couple of times as it’s come up towards the championship.

“Frannie Ford our senior trainer is training the U21s as well so he has a good connection between the two squads and he manages our schedules fairly well.”

Conor Whelan and Michael Donoghue James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Having played with Whelan right the way up the underage ranks, Monaghan has closely watched his progression. The powerful corner-forward is considered among the front-runners for Hurler of the Year at this stage.

“He’s a fantastic hurler,” Monaghan says. “He works so hard and you can see the benefit of what he’s doing, working hard off the pitch and working hard on the pitch. Hard work pays off.

“He’s a very strong lad alright and he has the work put in. This is his third year on the senior panel so the benefits of that are starting to show as well.”

Monaghan is a lighter frame than Whelan and says he has had to bulk up since he joined Donoghue’s squad, but he’s not pumping iron every day of the week either.

“I’d be a fairly small lad myself so coming into any panel you’d always have to try and get a bit stronger. I don’t think there’s any overemphasis on actual physicality in the gym with this panel.

“I think it’s just about getting your attitude right and working hard on and off the pitch. The hard work will hopefully pay off.”

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The All-Ireland U21 semi-finals take place as a double-header in Semple Stadium, Thurles on Saturday afternoon, with Derry-Kilkenny throwing in at 4pm and Galway-Limerick commencing at 6pm.