Brian Hogan: 'Kilkenny are much further down the line. There is a bit more pressure on us'

Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng is interviewed during a Kilkenny hurling media conference at UPMC Nowlan Park in Kilkenny. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

"A clash of the old gladiators."

That's how Anthony Daly put it, in reference to the All-Ireland SHC semi-final clash between Kilkenny and Tipperary. 

Routes have differed for the two. Kilkenny come into this weekend's battle at Croke Park on the back of a sixth straight Leinster title. 

Tipperary - having finished as the third team to progress through Munster - negotiated the challenges of both Laois and Galway with comfort. 

For Kilkenny legend Brian Hogan, the conversation in Tipperary may differ from that over the border among Cats supporters. 

He insists there will be real pressure to deliver when Derek Lyng and his black and amber troops arrive into the bowels of Croker on Sunday.

"Tipp are on the crest of a wave now, you think back to last year, the minor win over us in the (Nowlan) Park... they were full value for the 20s win," Hogan said, speaking on Dalo's Hurling Show. "They were a far better side than us this year. That was a good 20s team.

"(Liam) Cahill has done a great job with them this year... getting the Tipp public behind. It's a combination of both, the crowd are coming out to support the players and the players are giving them something them something to shout about. 

"It's an unusual one, it's been a few years since we've met each other at this stage. We (Kilkenny) are much further down the line. There is a bit more pressure on us, from the point of view of where Derek is with this group of players. We need to get over the line.

"There was huge disappointment last year after the semi-final, and even more so the following day when Limerick were knocked out. I think the players themselves realised the opportunity lost, having been beaten by Limerick the previous two years. 

"Not taking away from Clare, who were full value for it, but the chances we left behind us in the first-half, we got no impact off the bench coming into the closing stages, whereas Clare had all the impact."

The seven-time All-Ireland winner continued: "I think Derek has learned from that, he's looked to try and strengthen the panel. It's going to be an intriguing battle. I think - based on the experience we have in the group - I'm hoping that will be enough to get us over the line. These games against Tipp take on a life of their own."

"Tipp will come up and have absolutely no fear and will be looking to have a good cut off us... but I'd say our lads, you know with the old enemy, there is a huge buzz around the fact that is us and Tipp in the semi-final."

Eoin Cody should be fit enough to return to the Kilkenny forward line - a major boost for Lyng - but regardless of who is on the pitch, Hogan noted why the need for a result - and progression to the dance in a fortnight - is greater for his county. 

"I think there is (Pressure on Lyng), in comparison to Liam Cahill, absolutely, regardless of the result, as long as Tipp give a performance - not that they'd be happy to lose to Kilkenny - but the Tipp public will see progress.

"They can see the success with the minors and the 20s and they can see the progress of the seniors this year, relative to last year, they have something to grab onto. The future looks good.

"From a Kilkenny point of view, we're at a very different stage. This is a mature team that Derek has had for a couple of years, and yeah, there's pressure. There's pressure every year with Kilkenny. The cliché, you're measured on All-Irelands, that's the reality of it.

"It's been a while since we've had one... For sure, there's pressure; that's just the nature of the job. It's no more than the pressure Derek will be putting on himself; he knows the job and the mantle he took up.

"You won't get too long without an All-Ireland before the crowd starts to get itchy and starts to turn on you, so it's a big weekend."