DALY: CATS RIGHT BACK IN THE MIX
Wexford v Kilkenny Innovate Wexford Pk, 2pm
CLARE legend Anthony Daly says Kilkenny are back and ‘in the shake up’ again under Brian Cody.
The Allianz League title holders are hunting a win in Wexford to take vital momentum into the quarter-finals.
They’re still missing the Ballyhale Shamrocks contingent and 2018 captain Cillian Buckley due to injury – but Daly (below) has still been impressed.
The former Dublin boss said: “I think they are back in the shake up alright. I didn’t think their development would happen as quickly as it has. Outside of Limerick, I don’t think any other county got as much out of last year as Brian Cody and Kilkenny.
“I couldn’t believe that Tipperary or Wexford didn’t go all out to win last year’s League, there was a nice trip to Australia for the winners and it would have been nice to build a training camp around without breaking the county board’s budget.
“Kilkenny took full advantage of that and I think that trip did so much for all their young guys coming through. They have guys that were very prominent in the Fitzgibbon Cup as well this year.”
Daly’s one reservation is that Buckley could be out for longer than anticipated with his lingering knee injury and would be a big loss for the 2015 All-ireland winners. Daly, currently in charge of top Dublin side Kilmacud Crokes, said: “He’d be a massive blow. Would they be good enough to win (the All-ireland)? If they could win a Leinster title they would be in a very good place first of all. “I think if they go the other way and get to a quarter-final game.. that’s three very tight games that might just be too much. “But Jesus, they are definitely back up there, it’s incredible how Kilkenny do it.”