Michael Duignan says Ger Loughnane’s recent criticism of "functional" All-Ireland champions Kilkenny beggars belief.
Loughnane, who led Clare to All-Ireland triumphs in 1995 and 1997, has been criticised himself in some quarters for his withering views on Brian Cody’s latest all-conquering side.
“Looking at Kilkenny now and their personnel, there is no way that Kilkenny should be winning the All-Ireland,” he said.
“There is no way this Kilkenny team should be going for three in-a-row. Teams that won three in-a-rows were legendary teams. Now the present Kilkenny team is functional beyond belief.”
Kilkenny’s Colin Fennelly described the observations as "weird" while RTÉ hurling analyst Duignan, an All-Ireland winner with Offaly, said the comments were “beyond belief” in light of the turnover in personnel Cody has overseen.
“I would have thought he put it badly,” he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland programme.
“The Kilkenny team over the last couple of years has lost so many players through injury, through retirement, that they had to be vulnerable.
“If it was me, I would have looked more at the opposition, that they couldn’t come through and beat Kilkenny.
With a number of decorated hurlers retiring without ever laying their hands on the Liam McCarthy Cup, Duignan says the comments are unfair on the reigning champions.
“Ger played with great Clare great teams, great players over the years haven’t won All-Irelands, that doesn’t define you as a player.
“Ger didn’t win an All-Ireland himself as a player and how he can knock players who won All-Ireland medals is beyond belief."
The Cats take on Clare in the Allianz National Hurling League semi-final this weekend and Duignan has a feeling the Banner may just edge the clash at Semple Stadium.
“If this game was in the middle of the summer with two full squads I’d be relishing it," he said.
“I just fancy that Clare have a very strong squad with three All-Ireland U-21 winning teams. I think both teams will be down players, there will be a little bit of shadow-boxing going on for later in the summer, but Clare might just shade it.”
