It would be wrong to suggest that buried deep within the battle code of Kilkenny hurling is an oath ‘that thou shall never surrender’. Because the Cats have never concealed that mantra. It is the creed by which they hurl.
The players and teams of the Brian Cody era cemented that reputation during a period of unprecedented success. Post-Cody, it was always going to be difficult to match those riches in terms of silverware. And so it continues to be.
Derek Lyng has done a very decent job in terms of keeping Kilkenny hovering around the top table, but the search for another Liam MacCarthy has remained elusive. Still, they have largely been getting on with getting on.
Until Saturday in Salthill. Their display, or lack thereof, will have alarm bells ringing from Tullaroan to Thomastown. Galway ran up 35 points as they hammered Kilkenny by 18.
The 0-35 to 0-17 scoreline represents Kilkenny’s heaviest league loss
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