Richie Hogan: Kilkenny best placed to end Limerick's drive for five

Seven-time All-Ireland winner Richie Hogan firmly believes that his native Kilkenny are the side best placed to end Limerick's five-in-a-row ambitions in 2024.

Asked at the launch of the GAAGO 2024 schedule where the Liam MacCarthy Cup would be residing next winter, the Danesfort man opted for the south-east.

Expanding on that, he said that while John Kiely’s history-chasers will be favourites as they aim to become the first side to win five hurling titles in succession, he feels that the Cats have the most scope for improvement from the list of contenders.

"Notwithstanding that Limerick are clearly favourites - and would I be surprised if Limerick win it? Not in the slightest - and they're rightly favourites, but I just think Kilkenny have the greatest capacity for improvement.

"Clare were very strong and have Limerick's number, or seem to have Limerick's number. Maybe they haven't beaten them that often, but they've certainly put it up to them every single time. I think if Kilkenny can learn a little bit from that then they should be able to get over the line.

"A few of the guys who came in last year should improve too. Mikey Carey is back, Billy Drennan should get a bit better and get on that starting team. David Blanchfield, who was a huge loss in the All-Ireland final, will be back and hopefully bigger and stronger.

"The O'Loughlins guys are hurling particularly well. Mikey Butler and Huw Lawlor are outstanding players and will get better. Mikey Butler is still only starting out his career. I think Eoin Cody and Adrian Mullen have more capacity to improve as well.

"So that's what I'm basing it on. While people would have looked at Clare, I think people are looking at Clare because they put it up to Limerick. But Kilkenny