Off-colour Cats give Cody plenty of work to do

Looking at the first half of this game, what Kilkenny reminded me of more than anything else was a man after a very late night, a big feed of drink, and suffering the mother of all hangovers.

But of course, hair of the dog — when that man gets a drink of whatever it was that had poisoned him he’s back live, ready to dance all over again. Kilkenny got that drink at half time, a potent drink, served up by Brian Cody in what I’m sure was his own unique manner. It worked the oracle.

Kilkenny in that first half didn’t play as a team, they played as individuals, fellas running with the ball when they should have been laying it off to guys in better position. In fact that’s how Richie Power got injured just before half time, ran headlong into Wayne McNamara when there was no need — not a good idea at any time anyway!