Cody: Some days the changes work

As it was for the 8,651 attendance in Nowlan Park, as it was for the enthralled live TV audience on TG4, so it was for the respective managers Brian Cody and Eamon O’Shea in this mesmerising league clash.

First, Brian Cody, noting the fact that these two sides are now making a habit of playing out great games in this stadium.

“There have been a few of them alright, for sure. The last few big games — the league final and an All-Ireland championship qualifier — they were huge games obviously, whereas today was a league match where at the end of the day everyone carries on hurling, win, lose, or draw. As it turned out, the way the game went, it became a thrilling game.”