On League Sunday Liam Sheedy expressed concerns for Kilkenny's over-reliance on TJ Reid for scores. I know they've a few good lads to come back into the team but I'd be more concerned that their defence is a long way from settled-looking. Opinions?

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 14/02/2017 13:34:04    1956639

They are unsure over who should be full back and possibly centre back. But they are struggling more up front - without tj and richie whats left?! Inconsistent/gone off the boil fennelly, ineffective mark bergin & mark kelly, physical/effective but not a prolific scorer walter walsh, blanchfield has potential but might not be the answer, jj farrell is very inconsistent, hasnt yet established himself in the first 15 after a number of years. Kevin kelly seems decent but maybe not up to it at this level. James maher and gee aylward returning from injury this year could be the boost that forward line is looking for! Question marks over their ability to step up though.

hurlingexpert (Clare) - Posts: 1941 - 14/02/2017 14:14:01    1956666

If you don't know who your best full back & centre back are you've got problems.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 14/02/2017 15:12:52    1956694

Oh i agree but there forward line is even less uncertain!!

hurlingexpert (Clare) - Posts: 1941 - 14/02/2017 16:23:45    1956720

Seriously Kilkenny on the slide? With Ger Aylward, Mick and Colin Fennelly, I have no doubt Richie Hogan will get better as the year goes on.

They might have a shakey full back line, but I would bet Cody will find a few lads out of somewhere, I suspect Paul Murphy will end up back in the full back line, Robert Lennon will be full back.

Rule them out at your peril. They will be there or there abouts!

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 14/02/2017 16:36:00    1956726

I'd be the last person to rule out KK and I missed the game last week but for me TJ Reid isn't anywhere near the force he was. He's probably the best free taker in the country alright but not near the heights of a couple of years ago.
They definitely have problem areas and Cody will improve these areas. In Walsh, Murphy, Buckley, Hogan and Reid they however have potentially 5 of the best players in the country. If they all perform they won't be far away. They also now have for the first time in (my) living memory a really top goalie. I'd be old school though and say your team should be built around your full and centre backs and neither impressed last year BUT they still led the All Ireland after 40+ mins.
Their panel is definitely in a rebuilding phase but don't write them off just yet. While they could win a League I think Cody will only care about staying up and getting games into players.

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 14/02/2017 17:08:10    1956739

Murphy & Buckley looked out of sorts on Sunday as did most of their defenders when Waterford played 15 on 15.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 14/02/2017 18:35:30    1956764

therealtmo (Tipperary) - Posts: 1292 - 14/02/2017 19:02:33    1956783

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 15/02/2017 10:23:15    1956988

Kilkenny's period of unassailable dominance is over.

They are still a good team but they are not the force they were. They'll pick up a couple of All-Irelands in the next ten years maybe but that's as good as it is going to get for them I think.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13706 - 15/02/2017 12:27:07    1957039

Southsham (Limerick) - Posts: 738 - 15/02/2017 13:19:20    1957072

Cody won't panic but looking grim for the Cats after today. They'll need to bounce back in a fortnight in Nolan Park. We'll also see what Cork are really made of that day.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 19/02/2017 18:37:50    1958330

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 19/02/2017 19:07:43    1958350

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 19/02/2017 19:15:12    1958357

I said after last years final that it was the end for this great Kilkenny dominance all great teams come to an end and this is the end for them.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 19/02/2017 19:24:39    1958361

Kilkenny will be hurling in August and more than likely September when this Spring flirting will be a distant memory.

Killarney.87 (Tipperary) - Posts: 2513 - 19/02/2017 19:49:45    1958372

As long as Cody is in charge this Kilkenny team is not doomed.
Look at Tipperary last few league campaigns finishing 4th with some last day results. Mixed bag results from game 1 to game 5.Once the ground gets harder these KK lads will be purring again. Tipp had a shocking league in 2014 and shud have won the final plus that years all Ireland.
There in transition no doubt but probably still odds on to reach another Liam decider in September. Anyone who thinks there gone is a right aul hurler on the ditch.

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 19/02/2017 20:01:57    1958381

ColinWex (Wexford) - Posts: 901 - 19/02/2017 20:17:57    1958391

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 19/02/2017 20:53:20    1958406

juniorjudge (Waterford) - Posts: 383 - 19/02/2017 21:16:30    1958414