Ryan revels in man of match contribution

BRIAN CODY has always lauded his opponents, no matter how inept the challenge or how heavy the defeat his side has inflicted upon them, but compliments for his own troops have been less forthcoming.

Cody’s mantra has always been about the collective so the playful punch he gave PJ Ryan on his way into the post-match press conference said much more than words ever could.

This was Ryan’s third All-Ireland success as Kilkenny’s starting goalkeeper but it was the first where he was called on to do something beyond puck out the ball.