Kevin Fennelly: Brian Cody is devoted to Kilkenny

When a little more time has passed, it will inevitably become a question among hurling’s barstool brigade: name the man who spent a single year as Kilkenny manager immediately prior to Brian Cody?

The answer, of course, is Kevin Fennelly, though his brief reign should go down as far more than a mere historical footnote.

Before Fennelly took over, Kilkenny lost a Leinster final and All-Ireland semi-final in 1997 without ever really threatening to win either. Yet a year later, they’d reclaimed the provincial crown and come up just short of a gifted Offaly side in the All-Ireland decider.