A lack of classy forwards coming through is an issue for Kilkenny as they look to take that extra step and win back Liam MacCarthy, according to Liam Sheedy.
The Cats suffered lost narrowly in the last two All-Ireland semi-finals and before that reached successive deciders. They are Kilkenny and will never be far away.
On Sunday, they narrowly accounted for Waterford in Division 1 of the Allianz Hurling League, but Sheedy, speaking on League Sunday, felt their attacking unit did not create the scoring opportunities a more fluent Cats machine would have registered in the past - and noted that again they will have to call on the veteran TJ Reid.
Missed frees from Cian Kenny and Eoin Cody were also highlighted.
"Kilkenny are as honest as ever and bring a great attitude to the pitch every time. To me they are lacking up front and are going to ask a 38-year-old to come back in," he said.
'They bring a great attitude but they really are lacking up front' - Liam Sheedy says Kilkenny may have to go back to the tried and trusted amid issues with their forward play
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"He [TJ] will nail 90% of those frees and will get his hands on the ball.
"They could do with one or two forwards coming through but I just don't see them in the pipeline, so far in the league.
"In the last two All-Ireland semi-finals they were within a puck of a ball of getting to a final. The team that beat them both times went on to win the cup.
"I don't see the real quality of forwards coming through when you think about the quality of forwards in the game - I don't see Kilkenny having enough.
"Adrian Mullen is a big loss as well. I could not see them having enough to make a consistent push, though the likelihood is they'll be in an All-Ireland semi-final again."
