If it’s All-Ireland final memories you’re looking for, Niall Healy has a plentiful supply. Regrets, too. Plenty of them.

To grasp just how novel this upcoming All-Ireland final will be, you need only look at the sideline and the profile of the two selectorial teams compared to who was there last year, writes Kieran Shannon.

Brian Cody has tended to treat the Bord na Móna Walsh Cup like an old college friend, a show of interest every now and then, enough to keep the relationship from crumbling entirely.

The 11-time All-Ireland winning manager returns for a 19th campaign at the helm in Kilkenny. A few question remain...

Brian Cody will mark 19 years in charge of Kilkenny’s senior hurling team after he was confirmed as manager for 2017 following a meeting of the county board in Nowlan Park last night.

“It feels like I can fly…” So Jackie Tyrrell tweeted after Kilkenny won the 2011 Senior Final. 

The Cats have two All-Irelands in a row and the momentum is building nicely. And, this could well be the team to win the historic five-in-a-row, according to Henry Shefflin.

The frightening thing is they might just be starting out.

All-Ireland fever grips community as local hero Jason Flynn prepares for battle with Kilkenny

You wouldn’t dare say Brian Cody is getting softer now in his 17th year as Kilkenny manager but he would do well to argue he’s not more understanding.

Let us now praise Anthony Cunningham’s nous.

It’ll be the wrecking ball for Cork soon enough as the bulldozers move into Páirc Uí Chaoimh. But it was county secretary Frank Murphy who was constructive, namely hitting the nail on the head when he spoke against plans to end the St Patrick’s Day All-Ireland Club senior finals.

Alan Cadogan will not feature for the Cork senior footballers in 2015, having chosen to focus on hurling next season.

There is great news for Kilkenny fans this morning with confirmation that Brian Cody will stay on for a 17th season as Cats manager.

As expected, Brian Cody was last night reappointed for a 17th consecutive season in charge as Kilkenny senior hurling manager.

The famine is over.

An All-Ireland final is a peak for any player, but like any peak worth reaching, it takes time to recover from the ascent. Ask Kilkenny selector Michael Dempsey.

When Kilkenny get time to think about what they’re doing they’re better than anyone.

It’s hard to think of Tommy Walsh as a veteran, one of hurling’s old-stagers, yet as the Allianz Hurling League kicks off this weekend, a veteran he is.

The thought of stepping down from his role after last year’s All-Ireland SHC never crossed Kilkenny manager Brian Cody’s mind.

It is a safe assumption that Walter Walsh and Shane O’Donnell will never stand side by side in any identity parade.

Cork and Clare’s rivals will be keeping a close eye on events at Croke Park as they seek an edge for next year’s Championship

Brian Cody will take charge of Kilkenny for a 16th season in 2014 but will do so without long-term selector Martin Fogarty.

Nolan Transport has been fined €1m after an incorrectly secured 25-tonne load led to a horrific crash that resulted in the death of two women in Jul 2007, including the wife of Kilkenny hurling goalkeeper James McGarry.

Before we start, a reminder of the usual disclaimers.

JACKIE TYRRELL is too honest to dress up James Stephens’ performance in the Kilkenny SHC semi-final.

BALLYHALE Shamrocks qualified for the Kilkenny SHC final yesterday with a hugely impressive win over last year’s champions O’Loughlin Gaels.

WEXFORD scoring ace Ben Brosnan has expressed relief at Jason Ryan’s decision to remain as manager of the Model County footballers.

MICHAEL FENNELLY is the latest top inter-county hurler to criticise the new Allianz Hurling League structure.

DAN SHANAHAN has hinted it’s in Waterford’s best interests to look outside the county once more for a manager. The 2007 hurler of the year was a big supporter of his former team-mate Fergal Hartley for the role before he pulled out of the running.

IT has to be one of the most magical coach-player relationships in all of Irish sport, this bond the 70-something Eamonn Ryan and his Rebels have, and six All-Irelands in seven years is far too crude a measure of it.

THE potential candidate list for the vacant Waterford hurling job has been cut again as outgoing selector Paraic Fanning won’t be putting his name forward for the position.

ONCE again, hurling looks to an All-Ireland final to paper over the cracks of yet another disappointing championship.

TYPICAL, no-one has ever bothered to pick the greatest team of (allegedly) under-rated players of all times in the games of the Gael.

Derek Lyng won six All-Ireland medals and national acclaim in service of Kilkenny. But the path to becoming one of the greatest midfielders of his generation was an arduous one.

Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins conquered the Annaverna Mountain in Louth for the fifth time since 2004 as he was crowned the M Donnelly All-Ireland Poc Fada champion.

THE similarities between them first. The two men were defenders by trade and very good ones, the older of the pair being what the reporters of yesteryear liked to term “a veritable colossus” in his under-age days.

THE Irish Road Haulage Association is satisfied that the vast majority of hauliers on Irish roads are compliant with legislation governing vehicle safety, drivers’ hours and overloading.

Tipperary ace Eoin Kelly will grace the Annaverna Mountain for the first time since 2006 this Saturday, as the 2010 M Donnelly All-Ireland Poc Fada competition plays out at the Louth venue.

THE GAA has no plans to alter its disciplinary system despite recent calls for it to be overhauled.

Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) 1-16 Tullamore (Offaly) 1-8