Cody: There’s no lead too big to have in hurling

Sixteen seasons Brian Cody has been at the helm for Kilkenny, 16 seasons he has seen his side go through all kinds of highs and lows.

Never though, has he seen a game like yesterday’s. Never has he seen this team go on one of their famous scoring runs at a critical juncture in the game and fail to apply the coup-de-grace.

A goal and eight points Kilkenny scored without reply in just nine minutes, starting in the 54th minute, turning a one-point deficit into a 10-point lead. With this Kilkenny team that is usually the death knell. Not on this occasion. In the final eight minutes of play (two minutes added time), this renowned Kilkenny defence conceded 3-3, their attack managed just two points and so we get to see them do it all over again.

“It was exciting stuff. First half wasn’t so hectic, very ordinary stuff; second half it came to life, very definitely,” Cody said.

“For a while we were very, very good but obviously they finished very strongly. Periods where we punished them but certainly they punished us towards the end. Where it goes after this we’ll just have to wait and see next Saturday.”

While everyone else in Tullamore felt it was surely all over when Kilkenny took that 10-point lead, there was no such premature thinking from Cody.

“There’s no lead too big to have in hurling, at this level. A team gets a goal and very often they get a bit of momentum. That’s what happened for both teams today. Anyone who thinks the game is over with still 10 minutes to go isn’t too clever.”

So much of what happened in those fateful minutes has to go down to Galway’s strength of character, their determination to never say die.

That final goal, though... Surely Cody had to be disappointed with that loss of concentration at the back?

“I think two lads went for the same ball. That happens. We defended very well at times, attacked very well at times.

“They played some very good hurling and the result is now as it was when the game started and as it was at half-time as well [game tied]. You’d have to think it was a fairly even game...”

Ah come on Brian, it was surely a lot more than that! As titanic a game as you’ve been involved in as manager?

“Yeah, it went in phases. The first half we started well, they came back into it.

“It was kind of two very soft goals at the start, one for ourselves, one for them. After that some very good scores from both sides. Obviously they came back at us at the end, two penalty goals, but that’s the game. I’m always saying, in hurling seven or eight points, nine or 10 points. It’s nothing. The only time the scoreboard matters is when the final whistle blows and regardless of what happens before that, it’s about being ahead at that stage. Neither side succeeded in doing that today.”

So, going to be interesting again next Saturday. Going to be interesting for Cody and his selectors also to pick the starting 15 for that one, given how three of his four subs — all veterans — performed when introduced (Brian Hogan not on long enough to make an impression). Tommy Walsh pointed and set up 1-2, from wing-forward; Aidan Fogarty also got on the scoreboard and impressed in general play; Henry Shefflin, well, fouled for one point, scored a brilliant point from wide left to put Kilkenny ahead with only seconds remaining.

“It’s easier pick from a panel like that rather than a panel you’re looking for players.”

And that Henry point, the immediate equaliser from an uncannily similar angle, distance and run by Joe Canning at the other end for Galway?

“Ordinary players would have found it difficult, neither of those players are ordinary, just popped them over the bar.”

Extraordinary players, yes, extraordinary game also, extraordinary finish.