It’s not often a Kilkenny defender finds himself trying to explain why his team leaked four goals in either the league or championship although for Pádraig Walsh it certainly wasn’t to do with any lack of vision.

Indeed Walsh, speaking the day after Kilkenny's 4-22 to 2-19 defeat to Clare in Sunday's Allianz Hurling League semi-final, was promoting his newfound 20/20 vision, thanks to the laser eye surgery recently performed at the Optilase clinic in Cork.

Walsh had been wearing contact lenses since his teenage years, and now 24, has already noticed the improvement not just to his sight but potentially his hurling too.

“I got the surgery just before Christmas, and I think it’s definitely made a difference, already,” he said.

“With the contact lenses there was always a risk they might fall out, or get some dirt in them, but that risk is now gone. I’ve certainly noticed the difference, and I think it can only help improve my game.

Extended break

“I’d been exploring the option of surgery for a while, and talked to a few people about it, and I’m glad now that I got it done.”

Sunday’s defeat, which sent Clare into the league final against Waterford, and leaves Kilkenny facing an extended break before the championship, wasn’t necessarily unexpected. But the nature of it, however, certainly wasn’t expected, especially with Clare hitting them with three goals in the first half alone.

“Of course you’d be disappointed to lose, no matter what margin,” said Walsh, who has two All-Irelands already, though still seven short of famous older brother Tommy.

“But I think Clare were definitely the hungrier team, and we were just a little off the pace. We wouldn’t be overly worried though, it’s just a reminder of how much work we have to do before the championship, if we’re serious about winning another All-Ireland.

“Clare were that bit sharper on the day, and we just gave them too much of a head start in the first half. We did hit back in the second half and I think got a bit more momentum but once they got the fourth goal that was it, really.

“They’re a quality team, this Clare team, and I suppose it has been a while since we were opened up like that. We did maybe push forward a little more in the second half but that wasn’t a deliberate tactic. We just needed to find more scores. It shows as well that there’s very little between the top teams and that any of us can beat each other on the day.

“We’ll go back to the clubs now for a week and then get back for the championship but we certainly won’t be making any excuses. It’s not like we had many debutants on Sunday. It’s just Clare were the better team on the day and were fully deserving of the win.”