Analysis- Big questions after Kilkenny suffer biggest league loss in decades

Main Man
Cathal Mannion (Galway)
The Galway playmaker scored six points from play on a night where everything came so easily for the Tribesmen and with Rory Burke, Aaron Niland and Conor Whelan all starring, there were plenty of positives for Michael Donoghue. For Kilkenny it was the opposite with only Cian Kenny playing to the required level.

Talking Point
Kilkenny were nearly too bad to be true but it's still their heaviest league or championship loss since the 1950's and Derek Lyng has much to ponder about how to put things right after they failed to raise a gallop at any stage.

Turning Point
None. Galway controlled the game from start to finish as they defeated the Cats for the second year in a row in the league.

What's Next- Kilkenny way off the pace as Galway claim huge league win in Salthill

Highlight
Cian Kenny’s 10 point tally including six from play is the only thing anyone from a Kilkenny persuasion can look back on with any area of content.

Lowlight
With Huw Lawlor away in Australia, Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng has tried out Mikey Carey as an alternative at full-back and while it wasn’t the Young Irelands man’s best night at the office, his injury which looked like a hamstring in the 48th minute could have big implications for the Cats championship prospects .

Questions
Of all the things to disappoint Kilkenny followers, the way they were outfought and outbattled and rather wilted in the second half will have been the most worrying aspect as it’s not something you’d ever associate with a team from the county and it be interesting to see how they respond.

What's Next

Kilkenny round off their leafue campaign away to All-Ireland champions Tipperary on Saturday week.

Attendance
5,467

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