Ger Cunningham: Kilkenny hurlers won’t be so intimidating now

Dublin boss Ger Cunningham says Kilkenny’s swathe of retirements have given their competitors in Leinster cause for optimism. The decisions by Tommy Walsh, JJ Delaney, Brian Hogan, David Herity and Aidan Fogarty to step aside means the Cats won’t be as intimidating, believes the Cork native.

“If you take, someone said 38 All-Ireland medals, out of a dressing room it’s got to. You have to give people a chance, I suppose, and those names won’t be as well known. JJ going was a surprise. He’s still a relatively young man. I think there was no indication from hurling people he was going to go.

“He’s been a phenomenal defender. If you sit down and debate, would you pick JJ or Tommy? Two players that are gone, phenomenal players.