Were there ever so few "definite" starters for a county team

[Lone Shark]

One of the things that was going through my mind after last Sunday's game was wondering about who'd be back on board, and how many of that team were likely to be named in the first fifteen for the Kildare game in May. One of the things I couldn't help but think about was how few players are "definite" starters right now. Obviously players being complacent in their places is not a good thing, but it can't be good either that right now, if you offered me even money about any player to start this summer, there's only five or six that I'd be inclined to take the bet on - and only three (Karol Slattery, Niall McNamee and Ciarán McManus) who in my book are guaranteed starters, allowing for availability and injury.

Think of any of the other contenders in Leinster and they have at least six or seven footballers who would fall into this category, with as many as ten in a serious team. (I'd say we could name ten starters for Kerry, Tyrone, Galway and Dublin right now and be right with at least nine in each case)

Even our hurlers would, at my quick count, have eight, and that's without players like Verney or Mullins who are long odds on. (Kenny, Franks, Bergin, Oakley, Horan, Hanniffy, Dooley, Carroll)

I know that complacency is a bad thing, but even allowing for maybe two more in Niall Smith and Ger Rafferty (very likely, but not certainties imho), it still leaves a ridiculously blank page for Richie Connor to work with.

Or am I just getting carried away and is this always the way in January?

[GreatDayForTheParish]

Fair point Shark although without getting in to specifics I'd have to disagree with a couple of the hurling names you would consider as definite starters. Nonetheless thats only a natural difference of opinion, your original point still stands. The footballers are just weak at the moment, plain and simple.