'Kilkenny's reserve strength a championship concern'
Kilkenny's reliance on TJ Reid and the absence of so many frontline players is a cause for concern for the Cats’ 2025 championship hopes, according to former Tipperary hurler Shane McGrath.
Derk Lyng’s side went under to Tipperary on home soil in a game marred by four red cards, their third defeat of the Division 1 campaign. With Limerick up next, it means the Cats are part of the relegation picture with a couple of games to go.
With David Blanchfield and Mikey Carey seeing red against the Premier County, Lyng will be forced to test the strength of his panel to an even greater degree.
With Huw Lawlor, Adrian Mullen and Eoin Cody sidelined, McGrath feels that the clash with Limerick will be an even greater challenge.
Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, he also suggested the over-reliance on TJ Reid isn’t ideal for the development of the team.
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The 37-year-old made his competitive return in the round 4 clash with Cork and was in the starting XV against Tipperary.
McGrath highlighted a catch over the head of Mikey Breen as further proof of his all-round impact and while the six-time All-Ireland winner didn’t manage a point from play, his 11 frees and a couple of 65s meant he still contributed almost 70% of their overall tally.
"There are lads that give up club hurling at 37 because they just can’t keep it going for one reason or another, possibly because of the body," he said.
"For me, he’s the best player of all time, I’ve said it loads of times. He’s still class, but if they are still looking to a 37-year-old to do the business for them, albeit he is the best ever in my opinion, there are questions they are going to have to answer.
David Blanchfield - centre of three Kilkenny players - is red carded by referee Sean Stack
"They have Limerick coming next week. They will be without David Blanchfield and Mikey Carey (suspended). Huw Lawlor is missing. If Eoin Cody and Adrian Mullen are missing, it’s not a great way to be going into championship.
"They will get it together, but there are questions they have to answer."
McGrath says that while Mossy Keoghan, who picked off four points from play against Tipp, has delivered right through the league campaign, he has become the go-to man with Reid eased back into action.
The Cats are bidding for a sixth Leinster title on the trot, but McGrath argues loftier ambitions will be a tall order unless they have a full hand to pick from or others show some real form over the next while
"Others need to step up, and if they don’t do it soon, you don’t know what way their year will go," he said.
"I just feel this year they don’t have the strength in depth they have had in previous years."
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