'Physical' Kilkenny want referees lenient

KILKENNY’S unhappiness at what manager Brian Cody believes is the removal of “physicality” from hurling is perfectly explicable, according to broadcast pundit and Offaly All-Ireland winner Daithi Regan, who says the All-Ireland champions have an interest in more permissive refereeing.

He was asked did he understand Cody’s recent comments about referees being under pressure to sanitise the game.

“Yeah, I do. Strategically, from Brian Cody’s point of view, Kilkenny are the most physical team in the country. There’s every reason why he said it. They’re probably better than anybody else out there but they’re certainly more physical. They brought a physicality since around 2005 to counteract Cork’s running game. I think they’ve maintained it.

“The only team that have stepped up to that physicality have been Tipp. I don’t think anyone else has met it, which is why I don’t see anybody else. Particularly Cork. I think Cork will have to suffer an All-Ireland defeat at that intensity before they realise winning an All-Ireland final.”

Cody’s comments were echoed earlier this week by county captain and 2008 Hurler of the Year Eoin Larkin, who said: “Physicality is part and parcel of it. I don’t think there is any player will tell you they don’t want to be hit in a match.”

According to Regan, the recent league winners are happy with laissez-faire officiating because they have tailored a game plan, which works best with more limited intervention from referees.

“I think Brian Cody wants to see refereeing continuing the way it’s going because it’s been quite liberal over the last couple of years and a lot more has been got away with than it would previously.

“I think Kilkenny are executing it brilliantly. Simple things like a little tug on the arm to slow a guy down and a second attacker or defender comes in. It means ball isn’t being cleared as readily or as easily as it would have been.

“I think they’re very good at what they do. It’s not dirty but it’s illegal, or it’s bordering on illegal, and referees are letting it go because we’ve all lauded the last three All-Ireland finals, which have been outstanding.

“The way hurling is being refereed at the moment suits the way Kilkenny play hurling.”

Limerick’s Declan Hannon is in a race against time to be fit to face Tipperary in the Munster hurling championship on Sunday week in Thurles. Hannon missed the league due to a groin problem but resumed training with John Allen’s squad this week.