Cody bemoans goal misses in game that ‘could have gone either way’

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody conceded the three goal chances squandered by his forward unit were crucial factors in the county’s first competitive defeat to Clare since 2005.

The visitors prized open the Clare defence on only one occasion during the first period and yet it was the chance they rued most as David McInerney superbly blocked Mark’s Kelly’s goal-bound strike before Walter Walsh kicked wide from three yards.

Clare goalkeeper Donal Tuohy was to credit for keeping the Cats at bay in the second-half, first denying Henry Shefflin from the penalty mark and on 55 minutes, terrifically repelling Jonjoe Farrell’s effort from close-range.

“Clare’s goal made a big difference and we had a few chances we didn’t take,” Cody insisted. “A close good game, could have gone either way. Clare won it. That’s it really. There were a lot of good performances from both teams. We had a lot of inexperienced players but we were in it all the way. The performance wasn’t too bad but obviously we’d have preferred to have won it.

“The pitch was heavy but then it couldn’t have been any other way after the weather we’ve had. It was the same for both sides — it certainly didn’t give them [Clare] any advantage.”

Kilkenny’s starting line-up featured six league debutants and the intensity of yesterday’s fare, he noted, will stand them in good stead looking to the summer. On Henry Shefflin, Cody said no plan had be drawn up as to how much league time the 35-year-old would see.

“It was a good education for some of our players. There is no plan with regard to Henry Shefflin or anyone else. We assess the situation withevery player as we go along. This is a fierce competitive league.

“Every team is capable of beating each other on a given day. We’d love to win the league. Obviously, we’ll look at as many players as we can along the way. There’s no big plan. We’ll just try to win as many matches as we can and build up a strong panel of players.

“We came down here to win but we didn’t. It’s as simple as that. We’re disappointed with that.”

The Kilkenny boss was spotted having a quiet word with referee Brian Gavin as the latter departed the field, but Cody maintained he had no qualms with his officiating.

“I never give out about referees.”