Ger Loughnane: Kilkenny would not be winning without exceptional Brian Cody

Former Clare hurling manager Ger Loughnane believes the current Kilkenny team should not be winning All-Irelands and wouldn’t be but for Brian Cody, who he describes as an “extraordinary person”.

“The present Kilkenny team is functional beyond belief, and they’re getting the best out of what they have to an extent no-one else could do other than Brian Cody. But, at the same time, a team with that talent should not be winning an All-Ireland. I have no problem in saying that. Totally dependant on TJ Reid, one forward, and maybe Richie Hogan as well,” said Loughnane in an extensive interview with GAA.ie, that also reflected on his glory years in charge of Clare.

Yet the Feakle man feels if Kilkenny are to be denied another three-in-a-row of titles, it won’t be in this September’s All-Ireland final: “I think if they’re not stopped in an All-Ireland quarter-final or semi-final, then they won’t be stopped on the first Sunday in September. That’s the point where you must stop them. Who’ll stop them there? Maybe Clare could stop them at that juncture.”