LEGEND ED EXPECTS CATS TO BITE BACK

success we’ve had will never be repeated in Kilkenny or any other county.

“We’re delighted with what has been achieved and Brian still has a lot to achieve with Kilkenny. The next few years will prove that.”

He added: “We need to beat Dublin on Sunday if we’re to go anywhere in the League. That’s a big ask. I think the team is lacking in depth, we have a lot of injuries, but if the team that played against Tipp can take the field I’d say we’ll have a reasonable chance anyway.”

Although Kilkenny haven’t had much underage success in recent years, Keher shares his former teammate Cody’s faith in the emerging talent regardless.

“When you look back at the great players we’ve lost Henry, DJ, Eddie Brennan, Martin Comerford - we’d love to have them back again but things move on and we still have great players coming.

“Even though we haven’t been successful, I think the next few years will be good at underage as well.”

Keher is happy the defence is taking shape with Padraig Walsh emerging as first choice full-back.

“I think Padraig Walsh is an excellent choice. People are ruing the fact that we’re losing a great half-back but sure JJ Delaney went back and he’s probably one of the best half-backs ever to play the game, he went back to full-back and made it his own and became the outstanding full-back. Padraig will probably be on the same lines.

“I’m not sure about the centreback position yet, it’ll take a few games. Young [Jason] Cleere or our own man, Kieran Joyce, might be back there, I’m not sure.

“I think centre-field, we’ll be hoping that Michael Fennelly will be back in the picture, but what they played against Tipp, the two lads, Cillian Buckley and young [Paddy] Deegan, he looks very promising as well...if they’re all back there’ll be a good struggle for places. “In the forwards, you hopefully have Ger Aylward back and a couple of more lads, Kevin Kelly, so, things going our way, they’ll be strong enough this year I think.”