Codd is determined to show Cats the exit door
The inspirational free taker stressed the need to go for the jugular ahead of the Cats clash at Croke Park, their third Leinster final meeting in a row.
Wexford are slowly clawing back the Leinster and league champs.
Back in 2001 they lost out by 13 points to Brian Cody’s boys but the margin was down to just two last summer in the decider when Codd stole the show.
As recently as April the sides drew 0-23 to 2-17 in a frenetic league tie at Nowlan Park so there’s plenty of reason for optimism.
Codd, however, urged: “We’ve got to get a couple of goals if we want to beat them. I’m sure it’s going to come down to who scores the most goals on the day.
“I don’t see any side winning by scoring a hod of points and I also don’t see Kilkenny scoring less than two goals themselves. We know what we have to do in that regard.”
Kilkenny are the bookies’ raging hot favourites to advance to the All-Ireland series undefeated.
On paper there’s few sides in Leinster that can challenge them with Munster continuing to dominate the hurling landscape. But Codd hit back: “We’re not going out to make up the numbers. The odds on Wexford winning the All-Ireland wouldn’t be long dropping to the ground if we beat Kilkenny.
“People are always on about Munster this, Munster that but any team that beats Kilkenny will be seen as a serious All-Ireland candidate and we believe we can beat them.”
Meanwhile, Limerick midfielder John Quane is continuing his battle to be fit for the Munster SFC decider against Kerry on Sunday week. Quane damaged his achilles tendon in the semi-final victory over Clare and has been unable to train in the intervening two weeks.
Manager Liam Kearns said that Quane’s participation in the county’s first Munster SFC decider since 1991 remained in the balance. “We hope he will be back,” Kearns said last night, “but the only cure for an injury like this is rest, so it will be a case of wait and see.”
The Shannonsiders continued their preparations for the provincial final with a challenge game against Kildare midweek, which finished 2-10 apiece. Kearns reported no knocks of injuries from the game.
Meanwhile All-Ireland football sponsors, Bank of Ireland, has urged RTÉ to undertake a live broadcast of the draw for the All-Ireland qualifiers following the leaking of the fixtures from last Sunday’s draw.
A Bank of Ireland spokesman indicated that a slot at the end of the live programme on Sunday or the Six One news would be more favourable to them, but conceded that the decision will ultimately rest between the GAA and RTÉ.
Both the GAA and RTÉ were left red-faced after Dublin star Jason Sherlock revealed to the crowd and a listening 2FM audience at last Sunday’s Special Olympics closing ceremony that Dublin would be playing Armagh - over two hours before the draw was shown on The Sunday Game.
The GAA have announced that Hill 16 tickets for tomorrow’s Bank of Ireland All-Ireland football championship qualifier double-header in Croke Park are now available.
Dublin County Board have also begun distributing Hill 16 tickets through Dublin clubs. Any tickets remaining after this process will be sold from Parnell Park at 9.30am today.
Kilkenny coach Brian Cody and his fellow selectors have again shown their ruthless streak by making wholesale changes in their team for Sunday’s Leinster SHC final with Wexford.
Dropped are Aidan Cummins and Pat Tennyson, while stand-in goalkeeper PJ Ryan makes way for the return of regular netminder James McGarry who has recovered from injury.
KILKENNY (SH v Wexford): J. McGarry; M. Kavanagh, N. Hickey, J. Ryall; S. Dowling, P. Barry, JJ Delaney; D. Lynd, C. Phelan; J. Hoyne, H. Shefflin, T. Walsh; DJ Carey, M. Comerford, E. Brennan.
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