Five questions with Brian Cody: 'There are always lessons to be learned'

Another February. Another league. Another chat with Brian Cody. The Kilkenny boss usually fields questions at the annual renewal of Avonmore’s sponsorship of the Cats’ GAA teams, and this season was no different.

Item one: Waterford’s arrival on Sunday in Kilkenny’s league opener, the teams’ first clash since last year’s All-Ireland semi-final replay.

“Last year, before we ever played them in the championship,” said Cody, “everybody was talking about tactics and systems. I remember saying at the time: ‘whenever I think of Waterford I think of very, very good hurlers with terrific skill, athleticism and all that.’ That’s what they are. A really excellent team.