Reid 'harshly done by' suggests Shefflin as Kilkenny explore centre-back options

Ten-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny, Henry Shefflin has suggested Richie Reid may have been 'harshly done' by losing his position at centre-back.

The former Kilkenny captain came on as a sub in the county's four point home win over Offaly in the first round of the Allianz Hurling League on Sunday with his position widely expected to be on the wing over the coming months. - MATCH SUMMARY HERE

Reid, who was managed by Shefflin at their native Shamrocks club throughout the Kilkenny senior hurling championship last autumn, is well accustomed to playing at either centre or wing back. The Ballyhale stalwart featured heavily for his club in the latter position over the 2026 campaign, teaming up well with Darragh Corcoran, who put in a number of eye-catching displays at centre back in last season's club championship.

LISTEN: 'We'll improve on that' - Lyng gives his verdict on Kilkenny win over Offaly 

"I think Richie Reid has been harshly done by being the 'six', to be truthful. He played very well for Ballyhale this year in the club championship," Shefflin said as a pundit on RTE's Allianz League Sunday programme.

"Obviously Huw Lawlor has stepped out now, so they're going to see about 'three' and 'six'. Mikey Carey is back there, he's very explosive and very good going forward, he's stepping into that 'three' role.

LISTEN: Derek Lyng's thoughts post-Offaly win

"Darragh Corcoran had a very good club campaign and is gone in 'six'. These two are anchoring this defence so far and it will be interesting to see how both of them progress through the rest of the league," he continued.

"I imagine they are going to give them a few games, rightly so, give them a real lash at it. Then you've got Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan, and David Blanchfield to come back into that mix and some supporting cast to that spine of the team," Shefflin concluded.

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