Where would Dubs' second string rank? Fourth?

After Kilkenny’s first All-Ireland senior title under Brian Cody in 2000, the strength of his panel was lauded to such an extent that when the Cats cruised through Leinster the following year their second 15 were deemed the next best side in the country.

Although Galway stunned them in 2001, the same claim was being made after they returned to winning ways in 2002, much to Cody’s chagrin. “No, that’s fantasy stuff,” he retorted in March ’03. “They were saying that two years ago as well.”

When it was next put to him later in the decade - in Kilkenny’s most golden of golden eras - he simply refused to answer.