Cody cultivates will to win in new-look crop of Cats

BRIAN Cody is a personable guy but when it comes to matters hurling, especially when it comes to matters relating to his native county, the Kilkenny manager is a serious individual.

So his moment of levity after Sunday's NHL win over old rivals Tipperary was surprising. When mention was made of some of the shocks in the League, Cody couldn't help but grin and say: "And another surprise in Semple Stadium now as well!"

And it was a surprise. Not the fact that Kilkenny had won, but that they won so convincingly. Without exaggeration, their nine-point margin of victory could as easily have been nine goals, but for the brilliance of Tipperary keeper Brendan Cummins. The ease of the Kilkenny win is partly explained by the lifeless, listless, clueless performance of Tipperary. But great credit must go to a new-look Kilkenny for the quality of their hurling, and to Cody who put this side together.