Keeping the hunger alive is Cody’s secret

WHETHER standing on the sideline in Croke Park, wearing his trademark baseball cap, or commanding the scene from the centre of Nowlan Park in the course of training sessions, Brian Cody is an imposing figure.

His physical stature mirrors his reputation as one of the big inter-county managers, and the success which comes with such an accolade. Everything about him is clinical, even down to the way he talks about the games.

Tomorrow, Kilkenny will be bidding to qualify for their fifth Guinness All-Ireland SHC final in six years. It's an impressive record, except that it loses some of its gloss on closer examination. They were beaten in the 1998 final by Offaly (when Kevin Fennelly was in charge) and lost to Cork the following year, under Cody.

Success in 2001 was followed by an unexpected defeat by Galway in the semi-final. Now, they are in the same position going into this game as champions, very much aware of the fact that recent history, indicates that they are on a slippery slope!

Two years on, Cody says it's hard to say 'for sure' what caused their downfall against Galway. But he still seems to be searching for answers.

"You look at all the teams over the years. Tipperary won it in 2001 and looked like a team that was good enough to retain their title. Cork seemed capable of doing it after winning in 1999 and we looked capable of it ourselves in 2000. But, it hasn't happened. Clare in the 90's were good enough to win it but not retain it.

"It would suggest that it has to be a psychological thing. It's such a huge battle to win it and while you are going around celebrating, the crowd who haven't won it are bursting their guts to get an edge on you."

With the slew of injuries, and the issue of tiredness, how then does Cody and his management team keep winning a second successive League title this year and a historic sixth Leinster title on the trot, the first time ever it was achieved. An insatiable hunger seems to be the answer.

"The reality is that if new players come on board and force their way into the team, I am more than happy to run with them. But, it's not something you set out deliberately to do.

"You take each year and each week as it comes and thank God we are lucky enough that there are good under-age structures in Kilkenny and there is a decent supply of talent coming on board over the last number of years. I don't think you are ever too young to start and if they are good enough we have no problem in bringing them on," he states.

So to Tipperary, the side his men pipped in a spectacular ten goal thriller to land the National League title last May. Given the one point margin of victory, Cody expects this to be one of their toughest championship tests.

"The recent history of games between us suggest that regardless of what stage or what match it is, it's going to be full-blooded and flat out. It will be about whichever team is 'spot on' on the day. They have a huge incentive and we are well aware of the quality in the team. It's littered with top-class individuals," he said.

Individuals who have enjoyed the benefit of the back door system and the extra games therein. Cody's cats have been purring from the sidelines for the six weeks since the Leinster Final win, an issue their manager is a little concerned with.

"We were in that situation last year and we know the down sides and the plus sides. We won't really know if the advantage Tipp have in match preparation will outweigh the way we have prepared for it," he said.

However, he has not been surprised by the progress made by Wexford since their Leinster final defeat.

"With ten minutes to go in the Leinster final we led by three points and at that stage it was up for grabs. Henry got a goal and we kind of pulled away in the end. Hurling is like that. The way it is now, you can turn around scores in a flash. You just can't relax because the speed of the game is colossal. At no stage were we well in control of Wexford or much better than them. If we were meeting them on Sunday I would regard it as a massively difficult game to win."

But for now he is concentrating on his own matters.

"If we can beat Tipperary it will be a hell of a good day's work and we'd be more than happy to take it from there."