4 Kilkenny hurlers to fill the gaps facing Brian Cody

God knows they need them.

It was the first Sunday of September 2016. Kilkenny went into the All-Ireland final against Tipperary as favourites. And why wouldn't they have been? Brian Cody's men had won four of the last five All-Irelands. They'd won 11 since the turn of the decade. After all that accumulated success, there was an inevitable aura surrounding the men in black and amber, and equally, there was a fear factor held by any of their opponents. Kilkenny had that ability to win without playing to their best. They always seemed to grind teams down, be it through an explosive few minutes, or a dogged 70. They could mix it every way and they always came out on top. In that 15 year spell, Kilkenny were rarely ever beaten. But if they were, they were usually missing players, or lost because of extraordinary, once off displays from opponents. Even those were rare. On top of that Kilkenny had a team full of experienced leaders. Players who had so much success and just didn't know what losing even felt like. They had such a dominance over the hurling world, that as Jackie Tyrrell said in his book, they didn't just go out to win, they went out to annihilate their opponents. To destroy them and to break them down so that they wouldn't think about come back. Tipperary wiped the floor with Kilkenny on that September day in 2016. Bubbles, Callanan and John McGrath ran amok in the full forward line. Kilkenny were out-muscled in midfield, and none of their forwards hit form. Worst of all, though, they looked jaded, ragged and devoid of leadership. That's because they were missing the leaders that inspired their success. The players that created this aura. Take Henry Shefflin, JJ Delaney, Tommy Walsh, Tyrrell, Brian Hogan, Richie Power and Michael Fennelly. None of these leaders were playing that day, and even though Eoin Larkin was, he retired soon after. 2017 was the first campaign in 19 under Brian Cody that the Cats weren't involved in an All-Ireland quarter or semi-final. Kilkenny are in transition, and for the first time this millenium, for the first time since Brian Cody took over, they are facing a real re-building challenge. Michael Fennelly is now gone, Kieran Joyce is gone. Youngsters and other talented players within the county will have to make the step up if Kilkenny are to bring back the good times again. The Cats made bits of Laois in their Walsh Cup opener last night with a ruthless display that will please Cody. Here are five of the players from that panel that have what it takes to take that famous jersey and make it their own. https://twitter.com/johnknoxkk/status/948624932245770240

1. Alan Murphy (Glenmore)

Murphy has been a key member of Kilkenny under-21 sides for the last few years. The wristy forward can play on the wing or in the corner. An accurate shooter, he has a rasping strike of the ball and has that unique ability to slot scores on the run or standing up from all areas on the pitch. He's tall and is well able to win his own ball, be it high or low. Brother of Eoin, he's impressed for Glenmore over the last few years. If he can put on some extra size and condition, he has all the attributes to nail a spot on the starting fifteen. Lots of players, like Mark Kelly, Johnjoe Farrell and even Kevin Kelly have got chances to make it their own. It's still up for grabs, and a hungry, youthful Murphy might just be the answer.

2. Enda Morrissey (Bennettsbridge)

Morrissey may not be the biggest in stature. But he's big in heart. The teak tough left handed half back captained Bennettsbridge to an All-Ireland intermediate title in 2016. A tight marker and a diligent defender, he has a killer first touch which rarely lets him down. The former St. Pat's Drumcondra student gallops onto the ball at pace and takes it in his stride. Clever enough to play the simple pass. Wiry enough to unnerve attackers. He played at half back last night. After Kieran Joyce's retirement over the winter, the former Kilkenny under-21 might just step up and take his place.

3. Richie Leahy (Rower-Inistioge)

Leahy is a class act and he has been the whole way through his underage career in the black and amber of Kilkenny and the black and white of St. Kieran's College. Tipped for stardom from a young age, the Rower club man didn't have as impressive an under-21 campaign in 2017 as he did in 2016. He has the touch, skills to beat the band, dynamite speed and an eye for a score. A dangerous runner with ball in hand, once he takes off one of those trademark solo runs, he's next to unstoppable such is his pace and direction. An area he can improve on is his strength. All of the best Kilkenny players over the last few years have had large frames and were well built. Tick that box, and Leahy should be the next to join them. Michael Fennelly's retirement leaves a spot beside Conor Fogarty in the engine room. This midfield maestro can kick on to take it.

4. James Maher (St. Lachtain's)

Burst onto the scene in the 2016 league with a series of impressive displays. The former cross country runner suffered a freak farm accident in April of that year, and was the subject of more injury hell in 2017. The tall, powerful 22-year-old is back, and he'll be looking to make up for lost time. He's a strong runner on the ball, and is well able to pick off scores. Strong in the air and ferocious on the ground. Can play in the half forward line or in midfield. We fancy him to get back to where he was, we fancy him to kick on again. Colin Fennelly will be missing in action for this year's League campaign. That opens the door for Maher.