Brennan urges Cats to drive on

Eddie Brennan has called on the Kilkenny players to "drive it on" in the absence of Henry Shefflin.

Ballyhale Shamrocks clubman Shefflin, replaced in last week’s Allianz HL final, had a stress fracture in his foot confirmed last Friday putting his participation in Kilkenny’s championship opener on June 7 against Offaly in serious doubt.

Brennan, holder of eight All-Ireland medals won alongside Shefflin, says other players must now take on the leadership mantle within the group.

“When I was with Kilkenny I played with a lot of unbelievably gifted hurlers,” said Brennan.

“Henry wouldn’t be the most gifted hurler naturally, but nobody works harder, and nobody has more mental strength. He’s not a man that talks a lot in the dressing-room, someone who tells fellas ‘you should do this or do that’. He’s someone whose actions show the other players the way. The others all know he’s going to do the business and they have to match up.

“That’s a huge positive for Kilkenny, and it’s a blow to them not to have him available for that game against Offaly, and possibly more depending on his recovery.

“He’s been driving the team on for years. Only two years ago he was the man who came out to centre-forward and took over the All-Ireland final against Galway when it was going against Kilkenny.

“In the second game the other players were on song but it was all down to Henry they won that second day out. If he hadn’t performed that first day they’d have lost, simple as that. That’s what he gives you, and the likes of Richie Hogan, Richie Power, TJ Reid – they all have to drive it on if he’s not there.”

Brennan also suggested moving Shefflin to a more central role to get the best out of the veteran.