Brian Cody’s magic replay formula with Kilkenny

The law of averages might be against Kilkenny but then they might argue theirs is the stronger commandment based on Cody’s ability to get it right second time around.

“Cody was saying: ‘Lads, you have to wait three weeks to play in an All-Ireland final. Think about it, go back to when you were a young lad, you’d wait three months, you’d wait three years, you’d wait 30 years for the chance to play in an All-Ireland final for Kilkenny in front of 80,000 people. This is what you dreamed of. You’re going back training with the lads, you’re going to have great craic now for the next three weeks.

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody celebrates with Henry Shefflin after their 2014 All-Ireland SHC final replay victory over Tipperary at Croke Park. The Cats restricted the Tipperary forwards to just 2-4 from play to land the spoils. Picture: David Maher/Sportsfile