Loss of NHL crown to motivate Cats

THE loss of their NHL crown will help spur Kilkenny to retain their All-Ireland SHC title according to manager Brian Cody.

Though the Cats defeated Dublin by nine points in their concluding Division 1A group game at Nowlan Park, results elsewhere ended hopes of promotion to the second phase.

However, Cody was putting a brave face on the situation, preferring to concentrate on the championship, and the Cats bid for a third consecutive title.