Club GAA talking points: James Stephens feeling heat of the dreaded drop

James Stephens, one of the biggest hurling clubs in the country, face Glenmore on Saturday in a Kilkenny SHC relegation play-off with Brian Cody on the sideline. If they lose, the Village will be relegated from senior level for the first time. 

BOSS: James Stephens manager Brian Cody. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Twenty-one years ago, James Stephens played Dunamaggin in the first round of the Kilkenny senior championship in Callan, but there was far more at stake than just a quarter-final. The league position of both teams was so perilous that the match also doubled up as a relegation play-off.

The Village had lost all of their league games by one point, but they made sure to take care of business when it really mattered, going on to beat Dunamaggin by nine points. They were slick and sassy and in total control, scoring 0-23 from play. When they reflected on it all afterwards, that performance was traced from one powerful source – fear.