Mr Consistency

UNDER Brian Cody, this Kilkenny team is coming very close to greatness. Reigning All-Ireland and National League champions, on Sunday, they are favourites to complete the double-double, a rare feat not achieved since 1982/83, a side that included Cody at full-back on that Kilkenny side.

Ominously for Cork, there could be a lot more to come, because the age profile of the starting fifteen suggests Kilkenny is a side just coming into its stride.

Keeper James McGarry (31) and DJ Carey (31) apart, the majority are in the the mid-20’s, with the same profile reflected in an extended panel studded with under-age stars.