Cody has cardiac surgery

Kilkenny hurling boss Brian Cody is in ‘good form’ and continuing his recovery from cardiac surgery at the Blackrock Clinic, Dublin.

Cody underwent a pre-planned procedure on Thursday and is to take a break from his management duties for an unspecified length of time.

County Board chiefs declined to comment further yesterday after chairman Ned Quinn issued a statement on the matter.

The statement read: “Kilkenny senior hurling manager Brian Cody underwent pre-planned cardiac surgery today (Thursday) and is currently recovering in hospital.

“He is in good form but has to take a break from team affairs for a number of weeks. In his absence Martin Fogarty and Michael Dempsey will be taking charge of the senior hurling panel.

“The County Board asks that Brian and his family be afforded privacy for the duration of his recovery and will not be issuing any further statements.”

Yesterday Mr Quinn confirmed there was no due date for Cody’s return.

Cody is not the first intercounty manager to undergo a heart procedure during his sideline tenure.

In 2009, the Waterford boss Davy Fitzgerald had stents inserted into one of his arteries after a minor blockage had been discovered. Two years earlier legendary football manager Mick O’Dwyer also underwent a similar procedure.

Meanwhile former Derry star Anthony Tohill is recovering from serious facial lacerations he sustained this week. It is understood the four-time All-Star sustained the injuries in an accident with cutting equipment.