Cody denies being ruthless
But it provided so much more as Cody provided insight into the mind set of the League and All-Ireland champions after team captain Charlie Carter had failed to gain selection for the recent games against Tipperary and Cork.
Cody might not have expected the question, but typically, was non-plussed, and indeed was later complimented by MC Jimmy Magee for 'hurling that one well!'
The Kilkenny boss dismissed suggestions that there were 'tensions' between Carter and himself. And, generalising, he said he 'loved' to hear of substitutes being disappointed whenever they failed to gain selection. In the diplomatic manner which is the hallmark of his approach (at least in public), Cody rejected media labelling of him as being 'ruthless.'
"That's a simple word to bandy around, whatever it is," he commented. "We just pick the team as we see it. Tensions come and go. I was a player myself and a sub myself; I know what it's like not to play.
"We have 30 players in training and every single one of them would love to play. And, if there's any player on the panel who is not picked and is not unhappy, then he's not worth a curse to you. I love to see subs disappointed not to be picked.
"Regardless of personalities, that's what keeps lads going the desire the play, the urge to play and the belief that they are good enough to play. And, the day players lose that, they lose the ability to be even a sub.
"As far as I am concerned, the management has the responsibility of picking the team and I and the other two selectors will pick it on the basis of what's best suitable for any given day."
Cody believes that the job of intercounty management was 'as easy or as difficult' as you wanted it to be. And, as the silverware would support, he felt that he had done 'a reasonable job' in his time at the helm.
"I would imagine myself as stress-free or as stressful as I was when I came into the job and I will continue to do the job," he continued.
"I wouldn't trade managing Kilkenny with any other job in the world!"
Over in Tipperary, great pleasure has been derived from this NHL Final spot. More so, in the post Nicky English era according to Premier selector, Liam Sheedy.
"Nicky (English) was always going to be a hard act to follow. He did a great job in the four years he was there. But, it has gone well for us so far. We are happy with progress," he said.
Both combatants have shown in recent years that success in the League did not militate against advancement in the championship, Sheehy pointed out. A trend he hopes will continue.
"It's a great competition to win. Tipperary's success in 2001 was definitely a stepping stone to the championship. And for us now, it's better than four of five training sessions if you can play a team like Kilkenny two weeks before your championship match. The only worry is that you finish the game injury-free."
Cody is relishing another meeting with their great rivals, recalling their exciting clash in last year's All-Ireland semi-final.
"At the end of the day there's going to be one winner and one loser, but we all love being involved in great games. They came out on top in Nowlan ParkWtwo weeks ago and in lots of ways they beat us well all over the field.
"I'm not saying that to blow them up or run us down. We are a good team and they are a good team. I said after the semi-final last year that I knew in my heart and soul that Tipp were as good as us that day. The puck of a ball separated us and it could easily have gone the other way.
"I'm very happy to be in the final. Our team deserve great credit to be there after the year we had last year winning the League and the championship. It's a good achievement for us to be back in the final again."
Longer term, he doesn't need to be reminded that no team has succeeded in retaining the Liam McCarthy Cup in over a decade. As he said after the Tipp game in Nowlan Park, 'the real hurling' is only about to start!
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