Kilkenny are not only in danger of relinquishing their six-year provincial dominance, but unless they become more clinical in front of the posts they are in grave danger of failing to emerge from the Leinster SHC.
That’s the view of former Cork hurler Patrick Horgan, who believes the Cats have it all to do to get their campaign back on track, following their opening-round defeat to Galway at the weekend.
Derek Lyng’s men have dominated Leinster in recent years – Wexford’s memorable 2019 season is the last time the Bob O’Keeffe Cup resided outside of Kilkenny – but this year’s title defence got off to a ropey start with a 15-point defeat in Salthill.
It follows on from an underwhelming league campaign, which also included an 18-point trimming away to the Tribesmen, and Horgan is fearful that the Stripeymen could be in for an unusually short summer unless they up their scoring form.
Aside from the 3-24 posted against Tipperary in the final round of the league, Horgan felt their poor shooting return would be an issue come the championship and having posted 1-16 in defeat to Galway (just 0-09 from play), he has seen little so far to dispel that notion.
Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng, right, and selector Niall Corcoran
“They are going to find it tough,” he told RTÉ Sport’s Inside Sport. “Scoring 1-16 is going to win you very few games.
“Clare scored 2-33 against Waterford, Cork picked off 29 points, even Tipperary got 1-22 on a bad day. It has been going on throughout the league.
“Going to Galway, I didn’t know how they were going to turn around that league form. I never thought they would beat Galway there as the scoring is a big issue.
“I think they are in big trouble to qualify.”
Kilkenny host Wexford next Saturday, before travelling to Tullamore in round 3 and welcoming Leinster newboys Kildare a week later to Nowlan Park.
The Cats will conclude the round-robin stage with an away assignment against Dublin.
The Cats will conclude the round-robin stage with an away assignment against Dublin.Watch Cork v Limerick in the Munster Hurling Championship on Sunday from 1.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1