Former Kilkenny hurler Eoin Larkin has no doubt that Mikey Butler will pick up Tony Kelly in Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final, but it still leaves questions over the team’s tactical set-up.
The Cats are looking for a repeat performance from 12 months ago, where they saw off the Banner in a one-sided semi-final, with Butler’s patrolling of talisman Kelly key to victory.
It was a display that cemented his credentials as an All-Star and Young Hurler of the Year, the O’Loughlin Gaels man sticking like a limpet to Kelly, keeping him on the periphery as Clare’s All-Ireland challenge withered in a chastening 12-point defeat.
For all the fluidity of the modern game – positions meaning little and match-ups a state of flux – Butler’s detail last year was something of a throwback.
Speaking on the The Championship podcast, former Limerick defender Tom Condon says it’s a "no-brainer" that the pair will renew acquaintances and has been impressed with how the defender has carried on from where he left off last year.
"He’s been playing well, even popped up with a goal going forward (against Galway in Leinster final)," he said. "I would earmark him to tag Tony Kelly no matter where he goes, and he will drift and ghost in and around different positions."
Former All-Ireland winning Kilkenny captain Larkin says that while "the dogs on the street know that Mikey is going to pick up Tony Kelly", but that there is more to it than that.
The Ballyea man is likely to drift from centre-forward, but with Butler named in the corner, will he track Kelly no matter where he goes? Will Richie Reid, named to don the six jersey, relocate to accommodate Butler if Kelly hovers on the 40?
"Kilkenny can’t afford to leave the centre open, they will have to have someone there at all times.
"I just wonder is Richie Reid going to go to corner-back if he’s named at centre-back?
"Clare will make a plan for that too, if Mikey goes after Kelly and he goes on a tour of Croke Park, drag him out of the game and not allow him have the influence he had last year."
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Watch the All-Ireland Hurling Championship semi-finals, Limerick v Galway (Saturday at 6pm) and Clare v Kilkenny (Sunday at 4pm) this weekend on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
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