Cody sings praises of champs

HIS cool, unruffled, composure has long been one of the obvious characteristics of Kilkenny boss Brian Cody.

For once, though, the big man couldn't conceal his emotions. After the disappointment of defeat in the finals of 1998 and 1999 and in last year's semi-final, the James Stephens clubman was on a high yesterday as the Cats reign supreme once more as undisputed hurling kingpins of the land.

Just what this 27th title means to Cody, one behind Cork's leadership tally on the roll of honour, was reflected in his post-match dressingroom address to his players. He spoke with an unmistakeable quiver in his throaty voice. He spoke too from the depths of his heart, and he spoke glowingly of the players who had made this another memorable day, another memorable year, in the annals of Kilkenny hurling. He thanked each and every player, emphasising that the victory was down to their combined efforts throughout a year of intensive commitment on the training ground.

He had special words of praise however for their inspirational captain, Andy Comerford, the man he described as a great leader and a great motivator, but above all a great and committed Kilkenny man: "With Andy were colleagues who gave him everything both on and off the field, and today all your efforts have culminated in bringing this coveted, priceless title, back to our county for a magnificent twenty-seventh time."

Cody, however, knows more than most the heartbreak of defeat both as a player and manager, and in their hour of glory he told the players that there would be no gloating in victory: "We know what it is like to lose, we have been there, so let's hold our heads high with dignity, and we'll enjoy tonight like never before.''

Reflecting on the game, the Kilkenny boss said they were lucky to have had such a whirlwind start with D.J. Carey giving them a lead they never relinquished with what, he said, was "the quality of goal that only D.J. could score''.

Cody said, while they were never headed throughout the game, that did not mean that they hadn't to endure moments of worry and concern.

"When you play this Clare team you are playing a side that never knows when it is beaten and, yes, when they clawed their way back to within three points of us in the second half there was every reason to be worried''.

He said that when the challenge was thrown down to them at its most menacing all the players responded "like champions''. The substitutions worked a dream, and the points scored by substitutes Brian McEvoy and Charlie Carter within minutes of their introduction had "steadied the ship'' when the ship needed to be steadied: "Our strength in depth is one of our great pluses. Hurling is no longer a 15-man game and that was proven again today, not that proof of that fact is now needed any more."

He said their National League and All-Ireland championship double achieved by Tipperary last year is a "phenomenal achievement''. While it would undoubtedly make them everybody's target in 2003, they won't begin to worry about that "until after Christmas'': "Let's enjoy tonight, tomorrow night, and a few more nights after that. Next year is for another day.''

"We have an outstanding pool of players, we have achieved one great victory after another this year, and we now have our reward in being crowned dual champions'', said Cody.

No one can seriously argue with that!