Brennan: Cats won’t hide from three-in-a-row talk

KILKENNY will not attempt to “hide” from talk about their bid for a three-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles this summer, according to Graigue-Ballycallan forward Eddie Brennan.

Brian Cody’s side are odds-on favourites to land a third consecutive title in September and Brennan believes hype is something the reigning champions have to accept.

“It’s being talked about. It’s been there or thereabouts up to now but it is only in the next few weeks that it is really going to take off. There’s no point in hiding away from the fact. Realistically, we are going for three-in-a-row even if we aren’t thinking that way. For us, it’s about not putting added pressure on ourselves. The last time (in 2004) we hid away from it and tried to deflect it a bit. Facts are facts, we are going for it but there are eight or nine other teams vying for the All-Ireland as well.”

With the Leinster champions progressing straight to the semi-final stage this summer, the likelihood is that Kilkenny should have one less hurdle to negotiate in their bid to make history. Last year, their hardest challenge proved to be the quarter-final against Galway in which they struggled to assert their dominance until the closing 10 minutes.

The story in the preceding three seasons was much the same with Clare, Limerick and Galway all pushing them to the pin of their collar before the victory and a semi-final spot was finally secured. That may suggest that Kilkenny have approached quarter-finals somewhat undercooked after their Leinster campaigns and it remains to be seen if the direct route through to the last four proves to be a hindrance or a help.

“A few years ago (in 2003) we ended up going through the back door when Wexford beat us and it took a lot out of us,” said Brennan. “That showed towards the end of the semi-final against Waterford . They came back at us very strongly and probably should have beaten us. Cork then absolutely romped home against us in the final. There’s an argument both ways.”

“Ok, you will get through to an All-Ireland semi-final and are relatively fresh but then other teams will have two or three hard championship matches and there is nothing like good competitive matches to get a team going and get their touch right.”

Try as he might to talk up the challenge of Laois and Offaly, one of whom will face the reigning champions in the provincial semi-final, it was interesting to note that no Leinster team escaped his lips when the thought was put to him that this could be one of the modern game’s most open of championships.

“Every year people are talking about favourites but this year it is wide open. Galway and Tipp had very good league campaigns and they will have a big say before the championship is out. Cork are keeping very quiet. Waterford are too and Clare are another team people wouldn’t want to overlook. They are saying nothing down there. Waterford have a few injuries at the moment and that game could be a massive banana skin for them.”