If Jackie Tyrrell's autobiography taught us anything, Kilkenny hurling is rarely quick to buy into any innovations sweeping through the wider GAA community.
When Tyrrell's own club James Stephens were using GPS trackers in training, Cody's Kilkenny had deemed such 'gimmicks' as superfluous.
This mentality is perhaps what makes Kilkenny's latest jersey all the more remarkable.
Granted, there is only so much O'Neills could do with a the black & amber stripes, this does represent something of a departure from the usual Kilkenny attire.
Earn your stripes. New from @KilkennyCLG. Coming soon. #GAA pic.twitter.com/xMtsLhgiXv
— O'Neills (@ONeills1918) November 4, 2017
Unquestionably, the discontinuation of the stripes from top to bottom offer something of a change for one of hurling's most recognisable jerseys.
At the @KilkennyCLG jersey launch yesterday. #EarnYourStripes #Kilkenny #GAA pic.twitter.com/i5eUXilaDn
— O'Neills (@ONeills1918) November 4, 2017
Compared to the standard issue jersey of 2017 (see below), perhaps this latest creation signifies Kilkenny's willingness to forget last year's uncharacteristically poor championship altogether.
While recent years have demonstrated O'Neills' proclivity for making minor changes, this latest effort will certainly grab the attention.
At least Kilkenny people will be able to take some solace in the fact that 'Avonmore' is still writ large across the latest creation.
