Derry U21 hurling captain Ciaran Steele says they will hold no fear of Kilkenny in Saturday's All-Ireland championship semi-final.

The Oak Leafers journey to Thurles as 20/1 underdogs against the Cats but their skipper explained that manager Collie McGurk has filled the players with belief since their Ulster championship victory.  

"We're huge outsiders but, like, our manager put up a picture the other day of a Derry player and a Kilkenny player and he asked us what the difference was," Steele told GAA.ie.

"There were a few answers that weren't correct, and in the end he said the only difference was the jersey.

"And that is the only difference if you look at it that way. We're all hurlers, we're all human. Down there in Kilkenny they're born with a hurl in their hand more or less, in Derry we have to work a bit harder to get up to their level, but there's definitely a belief in the camp that we can match them if we bring the physical edge and pressure and produce the goods in front of goal.

"In championship anything can happen on the day too. It's not even the fear factor, everyone is relishing the challenge of, you know, playing against the best hurling team of the past 15 years or so.

"Our team is just buzzing to get at them, you know."

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