Carey says Cats will keep their eye on the ball

THE RUMOUR mill was in overdrive in Kilkenny yesterday, following the decisions of hurling captain Charlie Carter and Brian McEvoy to quit the county panel. Not surprisingly, conspiracy theories abounded, and most had manager Brian Cody as the central character.

After Kilkenny lost their All-Ireland title in 2001, Cody became much more ruthless in team selection. Last year, as Kilkenny roared back to reclaim their crown, Denis Byrne was cast aside, while long-serving Kilkenny icon John Power was confined to the bench for the entire season, reduced to an injury-time cameo appearance in the All-Ireland final.

Byrne had been Kilkenny's best player in their losing 1999 All-Ireland final against Cork, during Cody's first year in charge. He was also a live candidate for hurler of the year in Cody's first All-Ireland winning season of 2000, before assuming the captaincy in 2001.