Richie Hogan says Kilkenny won't be dwelling on the retirements of Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, David Herity on Aidan Forgarty for too long.

Recalling how the Cats only got stronger after the great DJ Carey and others retired in 2006, the Hurler of the Year said at yesterday's promotional event for the Liberty Insurance GAA National Games Development Conference on January 9-10: "There's no doubt about it the four lads are impossible to replace, but you just get on with it and whoever is there picks up the mantle and tries to keep it going.

"I remember a few years ago, the start of 2006 I think, Peter Barry, DJ Carey and John Hoyne and a few others all retired.

"When I was a kid, people used to say that when DJ Carey (Richie's cousin) left, Kilkenny wouldn't win anything. But they've won maybe seven of the next All-Irelands so it doesn't work like that. It's just a chance for someone else."

For somebody who never played at midfield before last February's Allianz League game against Tipperary, Hogan proved a revelation in his new role.

Asked if he now considers himself a midfielder rather than a forward, he replied: "I don't really see myself as anything. I'm very comfortable playing anywhere from eight to 15. And if I'm called out 15 or called out 8, I'm just as happy.

"I know with my club I always played as a forward so I suppose I would always think like a forward.

"Sometimes, probably it can be a bad thing in the middle of the field because when I have so much space from 65 yards outs, my first instinct is to shoot.

"And while that's great as a forward, it's not the best thing to do as a midfielder so I suppose I had to learn that way. But midfield/forward; it doesn't really make a difference to me anymore."

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