The Cats’ nine lives are in danger as their patchy league form continues after losing to the old enemy, Tipperary.
Kilkenny haven’t beaten the Premier County in league or championship since February 2019 and is still reliant on 37-year-old TJ Reid to be the main man, which is a real concern for Tipp midfielder Shane McGrath.
"There are lads that give up club hurling at 37 because they just can’t keep it going for one reason or another, possibly because of the body," he said on the RTÉ GAA podcast.
"For me, he’s the best player of all time. I’ve said it loads of times. He’s still class, but if they are still looking to a 37-year-old to do the business for them, albeit he is the best ever in my opinion, there are questions they are going to have to answer.
"They have Limerick coming next week. They will be without David Blanchfield and Mikey Carey (suspended). Huw Lawlor is missing. If Eoin Cody and Adrian Mullen are missing, it’s not a great way to be going into championship.
"They will get it together, but there are questions they have to answer."
The Cats might have a stranglehold on Leinster as they look for their sixth title in a row, but McGrath believes higher aspirations of regaining the Liam McCarthy will be a step to far unless they can get his full panel back.
"Others need to step up, and if they don’t do it soon, you don’t know what way their year will go," he said.
"I just feel this year they don’t have the strength in depth they have had in previous years."
Perhaps this is the best season for another team to climb up the Hogan steps and win a league title with Kilkenny at such a low ebb.
