Fitzpatrick: Cats’ All-Ireland came sooner than expected

KILKENNY’S Cha Fitzpatrick admits that Brian Cody’s team might have surprised one or two people by coming of age so soon this year and winning the All-Ireland title.

The Leinster champions toppled Cork from their position of pre-eminence earlier this month minus a handful of recently retired greats and with U21 players holding down a number of places in the senior squad.

“I suppose with the expectations in Kilkenny, not many people thought we would win the All Ireland,” said