Richie Reid faces up to Kilkenny 'failure' over the last few seasons

The experienced defender is still waiting for a first All-Ireland medal as a starter.

Members of Defence Forces Hurling displaying a selection of new jerseys including Unit, Bde, Corp and Defence Forces Representative Team Jersey. Players also displaying Defence Forces Cups including (L-R) Inter-Brigade Cup, Parsons Cup & Chaplains Cup.

Failure. Richie Reid doesn't cloak his words when describing how the last few seasons have gone for Kilkenny.

The experienced defender is one of just three current Cats players with an All-Ireland senior medal - big brother TJ and Eoin Murphy are the others - and he is still chasing a first on the field of play.

The current centre-back was initially part of Brian Cody's Kilkenny panel as a goalkeeper, joining the group in 2014 and making the bench for the 2015 final win over Galway as backup for Eoin Murphy.

Over a decade on, the wait for another national win goes on and while Reid is a central figure these days, converted into a centre-back and a former captain, the 32-year-old is still chasing that elusive All-Ireland medal as a starter.

He has experienced four All-Ireland final defeats since 2015 - two as a first team player in 2022 and 2023 - and the last two seasons have finished up with semi-final losses to Clare and Tipperary.

Returning to Croke Park for the Defence Forces Jersey launch, the Kilkenny based Irish Army member didn't pull any punches about entering 2026 without an All-Ireland win in 11 years, a new and unwanted record.

"As players, look, we're hugely disappointed that we're not getting there," said Reid. "The last two years we've failed at the semi-final stage. Previously, we got to the All-Ireland final and failed as well. As players, we're hugely disappointed, we want to be achieving, especially as Kilkenny hurlers. You want to win."

Asked if failure is too strong a word to put on what has been a competitive few years for Kilkenny, only losing out to the eventual champions in each of the last four seasons, Reid shook his head.

"As players, it's the truth, we didn't get there this year, so we failed," said the Shamrocks club man. "It's about knuckling down again. Obviously you're going to be disappointed but there's always a year after coming too so it's just about getting your head in the right place and trying to go again."

Neither Reid nor brother TJ, six years his elder, have confirmed if they will definitely be back for 2026.

"We'll just see," said Richie of his own situation. "I'm with the club now at the minute and I'm just enjoying that. We'll take it as it comes."

As for 38-year-old TJ, Richie sounded a more confident note.

"TJ is flying it at the minute," he said. "He's flying it with the club so look, I don't see any stopping him there at all.

"He's really enjoying the game at the minute. The good thing about it is that he hasn't picked up any serious injuries or knocks or anything like that. He's taking his time, he knows how to use his body and how to recover well. And when he plays the game he has the hand and the eye coordination and everything going for him. Yeah, he still has it."

Reid, who picked up another Leinster SHC medal this year, said he doesn't beat himself up about the All-Ireland barren streak.

"You learn that sport can be cruel at times," he shrugged. "There's ups and downs and you have some great days, you have some bad days and look, you take it on the chin."

The multiple All-Ireland club SHC medallist has teamed up again with club and county icon Henry Shefflin who is back for a second stint as Ballyhale boss. Shefflin guided the Shamrocks to All-Ireland wins in 2019 and 2020 during his first stint as manager before taking over the Thomastown intermediates and then Galway.

"We're playing the first round of the championship this weekend, against Erins Own," said Reid, who noted Shefflin's commitment to the club.

"He has young kids playing all the way up, from U-10s up to U-16s and minor and he's heavily involved with them as well. It's absolutely great to have him there again."

There has been movement in the Kilkenny backroom team too with Shefflin's former attacking colleague Eddie Brennan joining Derek Lyng's setup.

"A big addition," said Reid of the former Laois manager. "It's hugely impressive to see a guy of his calibre being brought in, himself and Niall Corcoran. It's exciting times."