Hogan’s case for defence

IT IS a measure of the strength in depth of the Kilkenny panel that in a year when they lose the spine of their defence, they have still strolled to yet another All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final, their 13th in succession.

Neither Noel Hickey nor Brian Hogan – full-back and centre-back respectively – have hit a ball in anger in this year’s championship, yet the Kilkenny machine continues to power ahead. Able as their deputies have been, however, and both JJ Delaney and John Tennyson have done the needful in the wins over Galway and Dublin in Leinster, there is no doubt that defensively, Kilkenny are stronger when those two are operating in tandem.

Well, this week comes bad news for Waterford hurling supporters – they’re back. As Kilkenny prepare to take on their neighbours in Croke Park on Sunday, manager Brian Cody has a full deck from which to deal.