Business as usual for Kilkenny

Gauging the exact influence Brian Cody has had on this Kilkenny team is a tricky business.

For Michael Fennelly, the fact their manager has not actually been missed during his current convalescence perhaps says it all.

Like the rest of the Kilkenny players, Fennelly genuinely knows no more about Cody’s absence than what has already been made public, that it’s the result of a routine cardiac procedure and that he’ll be back for the Championship.