Kilkenny’s National Hurling League campaign took a dramatic turn yesterday as they finished their match with Tipperary with just 12 players on the field.
David Blanchfield, Mikey Carey, and Jordan Molloy were all given their marching orders in a chaotic clash that saw the Cats fall to a 2-25 to 1-19 defeat at Nowlan Park.
The officiating came under scrutiny as a flurry of red cards left Kilkenny stretched to breaking point. Speaking after the game, manager Derek Lyng called for common sense in refereeing decisions, highlighting the increasing pressure on officials to clamp down on high tackles.
“I feel sorry for referees,” Lyng admitted. “I can understand last week, there were just one or two incidents where you have to be careful about a head-high tackle, and that puts pressure on the refs to get everything right. I don’t know how many red cards should have been given today—I’ll have to look back—but there has to be a bit of common sense about it as well.”
The immediate concern now for Kilkenny is the impact of suspensions heading into next weekend’s crunch tie against Limerick. With the Cats still not clear of relegation danger, every game is crucial.
“Yeah, look, it’s a huge game, and lads are disappointed, but we have to get on with it, pick ourselves up again,” Lyng said. “If lads get suspended, we have to get on, and other guys have to step up. They’re training hard as well, so it is what it is, and we’ll just have to plan for next weekend.”
Kilkenny aren’t the only side in trouble. Reigning All-Ireland champions Clare find themselves at the foot of the Division 1A table after suffering a bruising 6-20 to 0-23 defeat to Cork. Brian Lohan’s side are now on the brink of relegation,.
As the dust settles on a controversial weekend of hurling, Kilkenny’s focus shifts to a Limerick team with their own ambitions. Whether the Cats can bounce back—and who will be available to take the field—remains to be seen.
