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4th January 2018
04:06pm GMT

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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.Explore more on these topics: