Cody happy as conveyor belt continues to run

BRIAN CODY hasn’t given any hints so far about a continuing involvement with the Kilkenny senior hurling team following their defeat to Cork in the All-Ireland SHC decider.

But as he considers his position, he must be impressed by the manner in which the conveyor belt keeps churning out young talent.

On Saturday, the U21 side crushed Tipperary to take the championship crown and create a few new gems for the senior management.

One of those players certain to be introduced to the senior panel for the League is Willie O’Dwyer, a popular choice for the man-of-the-match award. Lining out at centre-forward, he gave an outstanding exhibition. He had also played a crucial role in the dramatic semi-final win over Galway after moving to this position from the corner. Earlier in the year he was a member of the extended senior squad but lost his place.

“I wasn’t playing up to the (required) level. Brian made a decision and that was his to make. That’s for another day,” he said afterwards.

Praising his team-mates after their runaway win he said: “Just to be on the field with them was brilliant. I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of lads to play with.”

Cody agreed that the decisive factor in Saturday’s win had been Kilkenny’s ability to build up ‘a serious lead’ with the aid of the wind.

“It was built it up very quickly and essentially, there was no way back for Tipperary. The team played excellently through the field. Martin Fogarty and the lads deserve great credit for the way they had them ready for it.

“I never thought that losing the senior final would affect their chances. The three lads involved (Tommy Walsh, James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick and Conor Phelan) were very much focused on this game once last Sunday’s game was over. It was a huge motivation for them not to lose two All-Irelands in the space of a week. Martin had the team together right through the year. It was a terrific win.

“It just goes to show the strength that’s there. And it was a great lift for the county.”

Team trainer Michael Dempsey, the former Laois manger, agreed that playing at home put the team under extra pressure, all the more so following the failure of the seniors. However, they needn’t have worried.

“It was a great performance, really super from the word go. In the second-half against the breeze, their play in the first five minutes was also brilliant. Fellows worked very hard for each other and threw the ball around. Then we got the scores. You could say it was a bit sweeter than last year.

“We were lucky we got the early scores. Tipperary were on the back pedal. They are a super team. I saw them in the Munster final and we played them early in the year. We were up against it. We got the breaks early and it’s not easy to come back when a team gets a leg on you.”