THEY’VE BEEN STRIPPED of five household names that contributed so much to Kilkenny hurling and won a combined total of 38 All-Ireland senior hurling medals between them.
But Offaly manager Brian Whelahan does not forecast uncertain times ahead for the Cats in the wake of the retirements of Tommy Walsh, David Herity, Brian Hogan, Aidan Fogarty and JJ Delaney.
And he puts that down to the constant in their setup – manager Brian Cody.
“Brian Cody has ensured over his tenure that there’s always going to be a healthy influx of players through the years while he was there. He maybe would have known over the previous month or so whether lads were going to go or not.
“He made his decision (to stay) based on the fact that Kilkenny are going to be contesting at the highest level again next year. What effect that (loss of players) will have on Kilkenny, we won’t know until the championship takes part. The biggest influence on Kilkenny is still there and that’s Brian Cody.”
Whelahan believes that the departure of JJ Delaney was the most notable.
“Definitely was (surprised) when you see the amount of names that went within a very short space of time. Some of them were very predictable. The big decision was JJ. Having played in the All-Ireland final, I felt there was more to come in the following season and would he go for ten himself.
“JJ felt the time was right and why not get out at the top. A return that he had over his career was something that lads only dream about. The players that have gone from the Kilkenny dressing-room, these are iconic players. I think everyone in the hurling world, to see those guys perform over the last ten years was something that everyone paid to see and admired.”
Whelahan paid tribute to Kilkenny’s constant nurturing of their underage ranks which ensures they remain amongst the elite.
“You always have to be developing your underage to make sure you stay at the top. Kilkenny have done that and that’s why they are – and will be – a force no matter what the decisions are taken by experienced players. They have a hungry bunch of guys coming in who are looking to continue on the success that has gone before them because the mantle is now with them.”