’Henry’s done everything for Kilkenny’

Last year provided sweet redemption after their “drive for five” careered off the road in 2010 but yesterday was about exploring unchartered territory for Brian Cody.

In winning a first All-Ireland replay, there was unknown land for Kilkenny’s conquistadors to make their own even if it provided another opportunity to make amends.

“It’s a replay, it’s something we have never sampled before,” said Cody. “It’s not the first or second Sunday in September, it’s the last Sunday in September.

“It’s unchartered territory for hurlers and it seemed very strange with the MacCarthy Cup still up for grabs. It was tucked away for three weeks and three weeks is a long time at that stage. It’s about getting ourselves ready and getting back into it.

“They had beaten us comprehensively in the Leinster final and in the drawn match they had really put it up to us especially in the first half.

“Today, we started lively and we started well. We were certainly going well and then we were hit by two goals again and it was as if what’s going to happen after this? But the response was instant and very strong and that was the key to it today. The performance of the team was absolutely outstanding.”

Like in the first game, nine-time All-Ireland winner Henry Shefflin was pivotal and Cody couldn’t but praise the man who has walked every step with him in his 61 championship matches.

Asked how important he was in setting the tempo at the start of the game, the Kilkenny manager smiled: “He set the tone from around 1999, I think, to be honest about it, from the point of view of playing senior with Kilkenny.

“He hasn’t just played for Kilkenny, he has done everything for Kilkenny, he’s led for Kilkenny, he’s scrapped for Kilkenny and that’s the difference in Henry Shefflin and players who just got out to get on the scoreboard and be the top scorer or whatever it was.

“Regardless, his work-rate is immense. Everybody raved about him the last day and rightly so he just came out and led from the front when we were under severe pressure. Today again, there he was again, working, working, working. His achievement is unique because nobody has ever done it before and that tells its own story.”

Cody expects Shefflin will remain on next year for a 15th senior season.

“I would be amazed if you don’t [see him next year]. The thing a lot of people forget when they talk about hunger, about this fella doing this or that, to me it’s very simple – Henry is just in love with the game. He just loves playing hurling, as does Eoin Larkin and all the rest of the lads.”

Cody also acknowledged Noel Hickey’s achievement in making it nine All-Ireland medals, the Dunnamaggin man coming on as a late sub.

But for two finals, he has won every one of his medals on the field of play.

“It was just terrific to see him on the field of play today to finish that game because what Noel Hickey means to our dressing room you couldn’t quantify, to Kilkenny, to hurlers and everyone involved in our panel.”

Cody appreciated giving Walter Walsh his championship debut in an All-Ireland final would create headlines but didn’t think twice about it.

“He hurled himself onto the team and you could be afraid to do that and say ‘oh my God, sure you couldn’t do that’. Or you could go on and do what you believe is the right thing to do. I think he proved his worth and certainly had a terrific game.”

He also felt his players, especially Eoin Larkin and Michael Fennelly, responded to their critics following the first game.

“People were questioning after the last day, how was he [Larkin] going to go... as a captain today, he just went out today and performed as a captain should perform. But he’s been doing it for many years as well.

“Eoin and everybody else as well. You know, they answered all the questions that were asked of them today in an absolutely massive way, midfield as well, young Cillian Buckley in midfield there as well, playing powerfully, Mick Fennelly back to his best.”

Cody was particularly delighted with the manner in which his players responded to each of David Burke’s first half goals, TJ Reid following up on the first then Richie Power responding immediately to the second.

“There was no unsettlement whatsoever. We just replied straight away, get it over the bar, get back into it, carry on, keep hurling. It’s a long time until the 73rd or 74th minute. A huge amount of things can turn in a few minutes in hurling.”