Cody enjoying another September

At times, it’s with a polite or roundabout rebuttal that Brian Cody answers a question.

Whether that reflects the standard of questions directed his way or his nature, it’s uncertain but at this stage of his glittering managerial career, his reply style is apparent.

At this stage, he’s heard every kind of query too.

Last Wednesday week, the 60-year-old held court in Langton’s Hotel for his 13th All-Ireland final press evening. It was only the third time that he had attended one, not having had reason to do so the previous season.

So just how good is it to be hurling in September, after the double disappointment of failing to reach Croke Park and exiting the Championship in July last year?

“Any year you get to the All-Ireland, there is huge satisfaction involved. A lot of people are talking about the fact we weren’t in it last year, (that) ‘it must be great this year’. I don’t see it that way. You earn the right to be in the All-Ireland final every year. We didn’t earn that right last year.

“We wanted to earn that right this year. Not because we couldn’t do it last year, but because it’s this year and the All-Ireland is on this year. The Championship goes ahead and you want to be there until the very end.”

There wasn’t much wrong with Kilkenny last year, he says, but there was something missing. “I’d say we didn’t really perform to a terrific level at any stage last year. Our hurling didn’t ever really flow last year. We dug out some great results last year. The spirit was as good as ever. The attitude was excellent again but we weren’t flowing, from a hurling point of view. And when that’s happening, you are going to find it very difficult.

“We were knocked out last year by Cork and as the weeks go by and the months go by, you’ll be looking at things and seeing where we are with the team and the panel. You always like to strengthen things. There are always a few players on your radar you might say ‘that fella’s going well’ and you bring that in and see where you go.”

That urgency for renewal was apparent as early as the Walsh Cup games in Freshford in January.

Traditionally a competition where Cody has been happy to let the U21s represent Kilkenny at least in the early stages, this year he and his new management team were running the rule over new prospects and the established guard like Henry Shefflin. Those who caught his eye playing for their clubs were handed a starting jersey. Of the relative newbies who faced Dublin IT on January 20, there now remains Conor Fogarty, Joey Holden and Mark Kelly.

Cody explains his recruitment policy: “Your attitude to the club is fundamental to everything. I think you’ve earned your right to be a county player with what you do with your club. That has to be your opportunity.

“If the person is not going to give it for his club, it doesn’t mean you have to be outstanding in every match, but as long as you’re a leader, you’re giving yourself a chance to be an inter-county player.

“I think you are what you are. If you have that instinct to get out and perform, to have a real commitment to give 100% at all times, it comes through very quickly.

“You can also influence players to give more. You can see the raw material there and you can obviously get players to improve on that even more than they even thought they were capable of.”

Others may not have seen it but Cody fancied Tipperary had the drop on Cork from the early stages of their All-Ireland semi-final. “It was very clear that Tipperary were going to win the game from 15 minutes in, at least, and they probably looked like winners from before that as well. They were obviously very impressive.”

Sunday’s game will be treated in isolation, he insists. He can’t deny the familiarity the counties have with one another but he doubts it will have much impact on the result.

You can ask him what victory against Tipperary stands out but he won’t play along. “I don’t tend to look too much upon things like that. We’ve played a hell of a lot of games over the years with various counties, and a lot of great ones against Tipperary. We have met in big games, in All-Ireland semi-finals, league finals, quarter-finals, and last year in the qualifiers.

“Even going back to this year’s league final, we won by a point after extra-time. They have been seriously close matches. All of them have contributed hugely to the game of hurling itself.

“The one that stands out to me right now is the next one.”