Eddie Brennan says Kilkenny’s Allianz Hurling League semi-final defeat is further evidence that the current squad is lacking the experience of previous sides.
The reigning All-Ireland champions were defeated by nine points by a highly impressive Clare side that plundered for four goals in an entertaining encounter at Semple Stadium.
The Kilkenny defence was under huge pressure throughout, with two first-half goals coming as a result of defensive mix-ups between goalkeeper Eoin Murphy and full-back Joey Holden.
Brian Cody has placed great importance in the competition since taking over as manager in 1998, with the Cats aiming for ninth success under his stewardship, but the Black and Amber had no answer to the pace and power of Davy Fitzgerald’s Clare, who march on to a decider against Munster rivals Waterford.
RTÉ hurling analyst and eight-time All-Ireland winner Brennan says the absence of the likes of Colin and Michael Fennelly and All Star defender Paul Murphy highlights one possible weakness in Cody's panel.
“Clare were very proactive from the word go,” he told 2fm’s Game On.
“They attacked Kilkenny in areas that would be seen as areas of strength for Kilkenny. They were catching high balls down on top of the half-forward line and looked really energetic.
“They probably exposed a few things in Kilkenny. Maybe the squad hasn’t the experience that they once had.
"They have some good young players who are very good players, but they probably haven’t got a whole lot of exposure at this level, so that’s maybe a slight concern.
“They have to find a bit of form and they have work to do ahead of the championship.”
Brennan was reluctant to read too much into the defeat as he argues that aside from the two glaring defensive mistakes, Kilkenny weren’t too far off the pace.
“It’s easy for me as I never played in goal and Eoin Murphy is a top quality goalkeeper, but you’d have to say the communication between himself and Joey Holden broke down a little bit for two of the goals.
“That’s something they can definitely work on and get right.
“You take out those two goals, which were pretty avoidable I think, it may have changed the game," he added.
