Camogie up-and-comers 'don't fear Kilkenny any more'

Former Kilkenny manager Brian Dowling acknowledges that Kilkenny are in transition and no longer strike fear into opponents like Dublin, however he also feels they have a core group developing that will step up for years to come.

"There are a couple of players there now that have been there a long time, they might be considering their future," he told RTÉ's Camogie Extra Podcast after the Cats' surprise All-Ireland quarter-final loss to the Dubs.

"There is a good crop there. The word transition has been used a lot, there are a lot of new girls coming through.

"I suppose they have to move away now from the likes of Claire Phelan, Denise Gaule, and these type of players, and these other girls have to step up now.

"For years there it was Kilkenny, Cork and Galway as the top three and you can see that is changing now. The fear factor is gone. The likes of Waterford, Tipp, Dublin, they don't fear Kilkenny anymore."

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Both guests believe Dublin need to alter their tactics in the upcoming semi-final against Cork and find a balance of 'nullifying Cork's threat' but maintaining a core forward line and scoring up front.

"I would be worried if they went out with the same attitude against Cork. They are going to put that extra back into the backline and reduce their attacking threat up front," O'Connor explained.

"You have the best man markers in the game, the likes Pam Mackey, she will clean up ball all day long. If you're going to nullify your attacking threat up front Cork, are going to gobble