Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR

SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

ere had been murmurings about a possible departure following Kilkenny’s two-point defeat in this year’s All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final; and the o cial news broke last Saturday afternoon via a statement from the Kilkenny County Board.

“Brian Cody has informed Kilkenny County Board that he is stepping down as Kilkenny Senior Hurling Team Manager. Appointed in November 1998 Brian has led the Kilkenny team to unprecedented provincial and national success and is regarded as the greatest manager in the history of hurling. As manager, his teams have won eleven All Ireland Hurling Championships (including a recordequaling four in a row between 2006 and 2009), eighteen Leinster Championships, ten National Hurling League titles, seven Walsh Cup titles and an Oireachtas Tournament title. In achieving all of this success Brian has created an unbreakable spirit among his players and teams which has come to de ne Kilkenny hurling”.

“On behalf of Kilkenny people everywhere, Kilkenny County Board extends sincere gratitude to Brian for his lifetime of contribution to the county and the commitment and passion he brought as a player and as manager, working tirelessly with a single aim, to do what was best for Kilkenny hurling. e Board would also like to acknowledge the bond Brian helped create between Team Management, Players, County Board, Clubs and Supporters Clubs as all worked seamlessly together in preparing our teams while organising and promoting our games”.

“We are aware of the huge debt we owe Brian for the wonderful successes and occasions we have enjoyed as we watched the teams he created play and succeed. Wherever and whenever our games are discussed in the future, Brian Cody’s achievements will be the benchmark managers will be measured by”.

We wish Brian all the best in the future.

Brian, Go raibh míle maith agat, guimis gach rath ort as seo amach. e process of appointing a new Kilkenny Senior Hurling team manager will now begin. e County Board will not be issuing any further statement.

Having been appointed to the top job in November 1998, it would have been unthinkable back then that on the 23rd July 2022 we would only then be discussing Brian Cody’s departure as Kilkenny senior hurling manager.

His longevity, his ability to create and mold team after team, and that’s all before you get to his success. ere is no doubt that the James Stephens clubman revolutionised the game of hurling. e golden years that followed Cody’s appointment may never be matched. Limerick are a great side, have won four out of the last ve All-Ireland’s, but will

Cody calls time on Cats reign

End of an era as the greatest bainisteoir ever steps aside

Photo by INPHO

Brian Cody -genius, unrivalled, legendary John Kiely secure 11 Liam McCarthy’s before he departs the Treaty?

It’s hard to fathom anyone ever outlasting Cody and surpassing his 24 seasons in inter-county management. Over those years, the game has changed, evolved and become much more demanding of the manager. Not only the game has evolved, but players too. e whole S&C side of things, the nutrition, the sports psychology. e job that Cody leaves is much changed than the one he entered.

Yes, the Liam McCarthy is the bread and butter on Noreside, but under Cody, those on black and amber also achieved EIGHTEEN Leinster titles and TEN National League crowns. Brian Cody has always believed in the collective, the panel, never the XV or a handful of players. Under his stewardship, many players have ourished, some became legends of the game, others rightly awarded All-Stars. e rst player to be recognised and awarded the much-coveted All-Star award was defender Peter Barry, back in 1999. e most recent recipient being goalkeeper Eoin Murphy who picked one up last season. In total there have been over 100 All-Stars awarded while Cody steered the Cats ship. Given his teams performances this year, I have no doubt there could well be 2-3 additions to this role of honour.

All-Star’s lead on nicely to Hurler of the Year awards and Kilkenny had some eight di erent players given the ultimate individual crown since 1999. Legends of the game – DJ Carey, Henry She in (X3), JJ Delaney, Eoin Larkin, Tommy Walsh, Michael Fennelly, Richie Hogan and TJ Reid. at’s more than a half decent ‘fantasy hurling team’.

To put Cody’s managerial stint with the Cats in context, DJ Carey was playing for him in the defeat to the Rebel’s in 1999, the bainisteoir’s rst nal as manager, while just a couple of weeks ago DJ’s son Mikey was in the starting XV that ran the might Limerick so close. Generational.

You wouldn’t hear the man himself talk much about his own playing career in the black and amber. e Village clubman won All-Ireland titles at Minor, U21 and Senior level. As a full-back, he tangled with the likes of the great Jimmy Barry Murphy. Perhaps I played that down – Brian Cody won 4 All-Ireland’s as a player, and captained his county to the Liam McCarthy in 1982. In an interview for RTE’s sporting documentary series ‘ e Game’ Cody said that” I was a much better player than I’m a manager,” I have a feeling that this comment was typical of the man.

Cody’s hurling education began at St Kieran’s College where he went on to captain the school to provincial and All-Ireland glory. More success would follow while attending St Patrick’s Training College in Drumcondra. Breaking through into the senior ranks of his beloved James Stephens club, Cody was part of a successful era for the Village, as they won an All-Ireland club title in 1982. Back-to-back Liam McCarthy’s would follow in ‘82 & ‘83. Some player alright.

Under his guidance, Kilkenny contested SEVENTEEN AllIreland’s, winning ELEVEN of these. is incredible period of success included a 4-in-a-row between 2006 & 2009.

In terms of numbers, Cody’s record at UPMC Nowlan Park is impressive. 81% win rate at the home of hurling. When we shift

to Nowlan Park North, or Croke Park as it’s known, the rate is a mighty impressive 74%. Of the 282 league & Championship contested under BC, the numbers are the envy of many. Championship delivered 73% win rate, while the league wasn’t far behind on 70%. Players. It will come as no surprise that JJ Delaney is the record appearance maker under Mr. Cody. TJ Reid probably stands the best chance of catching the Fenians star, he is only 12 appearances behind JJ. On the club front, Shamrocks Ballyhale players have racked up the most outings under the legendary manager, with TJ contributing 132 appearances for the county champions. Cody’s own club, e Village have provided seventeen di erent players to Cody’s cause over the years, with Jackie Tyrell the main man on 144 run-outs. e player with the highest win percentage under Cody? Michael Fennelly who was on the winning side 60 times out of 70 appearances. Billy Ryan and Mossy Keoghan may have been the green ag raisers in this year’s All-Ireland nal, but these two attackers have been called ashore more times than any other players during the Cody years. A teacher by trade, he certainly educated those that he came into contact with, and as the tributes ooded the press and social media since the announcement at 1:54pm last Saturday, it is clear that and Kilkenny had some eight the quiet man has left a lasting di erent players given the impact on many across the ultimate individual crown since hurling and sporting world. 1999. Legends of the game – DJ As the much-followed B-Cody Carey, Henry She in (X3), JJ account on Twitter said.... Delaney, Eoin Larkin, Tommy ” Don’t cry because it’s over, Walsh, Michael Fennelly, Richie smile because it happened” Hogan and TJ Reid. at’s more Big shoes to ll? A drought to than a half decent ‘fantasy end? Only the best need apply.

THE VILLAGE SCHOOLMASTER

By Oliver Goldsmith Beside yon straggling fence that skirts the way With blossom’d furze unprofitably gay, There, in his noisy mansion, skill’d to rule, The village master taught his little school; A man severe he was, and stern to view, I knew him well, and every truant knew; Well had the boding tremblers learn’d to trace The days disasters in his morning face; Full well they laugh’d with counterfeited glee, At all his jokes, for many a joke had he: Full well the busy whisper, circling round, Convey’d the dismal tidings when he frown’d: Yet he was kind; or if severe in aught, The love he bore to learning was in fault. The village all declar’d how much he knew; ‘Twas certain he could write, and cipher too: Lands he could measure, terms and tides presage, And e’en the story ran that he could gauge. In arguing too, the parson own’d his skill, For e’en though vanquish’d he could argue still; While words of learned length and thund’ring sound Amazed the gazing rustics rang’d around; And still they gaz’d and still the wonder grew, That one small head could carry all he knew. But past is all his fame. The very spot Where many a time he triumph’d is forgot. • anks to Ger Cody for this!

Sport Norris ensure s

Glen Dimplex All Ireland Camogie Senior BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE Cats Croker Championship Semi-Final Croke Park, Dublin Kilkenny 1-13 Galway 0-12 ere will be new champions of the senior camogie championship following Kilkenny’s four-point victory over current holders Galway at Croke Park last Saturday. ese two giants of the game have produced some wonderful four-point victory over current holders Galway at Croke Park last Saturday. ese two giants of the game have produced some wonderful return games over the last few seasons, and this games over the last few seasons, and this encounter certainly lived up to its billing. encounter certainly lived up to its billing. e only disappointment was that just e only disappointment was that just under 3,500 spectators witnessed the latest under 3,500 spectators witnessed the latest installment between these two great rivals, but installment between these two great rivals, but those that did were treated to a game that had those that did were treated to a game that had plenty of drama, excitement and quality. plenty of drama, excitement and quality.

Brian Dowling’s team managed to shut-out Brian Dowling’s team managed to shut-out the opposition for the last 16 minutes, which the opposition for the last 16 minutes, which proved crucial as they dethroned the O’Du y proved crucial as they dethroned the O’Du y Cup holders. at stat, coupled with a stunning strike for at stat, coupled with a stunning strike for a major from defender Laura Murphy, and a major from defender Laura Murphy, and another excellent net-minding performance another excellent net-minding performance from Piltown’s Aoife Norris helped Kilkenny from Piltown’s Aoife Norris helped Kilkenny get over the line against a side that they really get over the line against a side that they really seem to enjoying hurling against. ere was one change to starting XV for the ere was one change to starting XV for the Stripey women, with Niamh Deely coming in Stripey women, with Niamh Deely coming in for Miriam Bambrick. e rst score of the day came from Mullinavat’s Julieann Malone in the 5th Mullinavat’s Julieann Malone in the 5th minute, after some good work by Niamh Deely minute, after some good work by Niamh Deely saw the rejuvenated Malone gather possession saw the rejuvenated Malone gather possession out on the right, before splitting the posts from out on the right, before splitting the posts from some 40 metres, for what would be the rst of some 40 metres, for what would be the rst of four vital scores for the Noresiders.

Aoife Norris then prevented Sars elds Aoife Norris then prevented Sars elds Siobhan McGrath from raising a green ag with a ne block. e game was clearly going to be keenly contested, but it took almost 6 minutes Siobhan McGrath from raising a green ag with a ne block. e game was clearly going to be keenly contested, but it took almost 6 minutes Photos by INPHO for Cork whistler Andy Larkin to award the rst for Cork whistler Andy Larkin to award the rst free of the day. Where possible, Larking was free of the day. Where possible, Larking was certainly prepared to let the game ow.

Denise Gaule struck her side’s second score Denise Gaule struck her side’s second score of the day before Clarinbridge’s Carrie Dolan of the day before Clarinbridge’s Carrie Dolan registered the rst of seven successful placed registered the rst of seven successful placed ball e orts on the day. St Martins Katie Nolan ball e orts on the day. St Martins Katie Nolan was looking very lively, and she pointed having was looking very lively, and she pointed having taken a nice pass from Michaela Kenneally. taken a nice pass from Michaela Kenneally. A Carrie Dolan free and a lovely score from A Carrie Dolan free and a lovely score from Catherine Finnerty levelled matters with some Catherine Finnerty levelled matters with some 13 minutes of pulsating action played.

One of the games key battles was Miriam One of the games key battles was Miriam Walsh’s tussle with Galway captain Sarah Walsh’s tussle with Galway captain Sarah Dervan. is was clear from the rst time a Dervan. is was clear from the rst time a ball went into that area. e Tullaroan attacker, ball went into that area. e Tullaroan attacker, who has been in the form of her life this season, who has been in the form of her life this season, beat the full-back to the ball before playing a beat the full-back to the ball before playing a lovely cross eld pass to Mary O’Connell who lovely cross eld pass to Mary O’Connell who looked certain to goal, but her e ort went well looked certain to goal, but her e ort went well over the westerner’s crossbar.

Dolan then showed some lovely stick work Dolan then showed some lovely stick work before ri ing over from play over on the Cusack before ri ing over from play over on the Cusack Stand side, before there was a stoppage in play Stand side, before there was a stoppage in play due to referee Andy Larkin having an issue due to referee Andy Larkin having an issue with a contact lens, something that Galway with a contact lens, something that Galway manager Cathal Murray may have led to some manager Cathal Murray may have led to some decisions being made that were not to the decisions being made that were not to the Tribeswomen’s liking!

Julieann Malone then escaped the clutches of centre-back Roisin Black before powering forward and pointing. Dolan popped over another free before the busy Aoife Donohoe was picked out by Niamh Hanni y and duly pointed. Piltown stopper Norris then did well to deny the rampaging Hanni y another goal

Galway dethroned in semi victory

Photos by INPHO

Julieann Malone

Brian Dowling planning for Cork

Norris ensure s

Happy Cat! Katie Power final bound

Laura Murphy Aoife Norris make a save

chance. Finnerty was then fouled by e Village’s Michelle Teehan and Dolan did the usual. Galway 7-6 up in the 26th minute. en one of the games massive moments. Oranmore’s Niamh Hanni y collected the ball and played a nice pass to the on-running Siobhan McGrath, who was then upended by Teehan. Penalty! Referee Larkin also showed a yellow card to the defender. Galway sent keeper Sarah Healy up to take the kick, but Aoife Norris was more than equal to the St omas’s woman’s e ort. e next few minutes witnessed some big physical hits with no quarter being given be either side. is period of physicality ended with Galway No.14 Ailish O’Reilly taking a big challenge before pointing to put the reigning champions 2 points to the good just before the short whistle sounded. Half-time at Croker, Kilkenny 0-6, Galway 0-8.

Like in the opening period, it would be those in black and amber that would strike rst. Galway captain, Dervan guilty of a high challenge on Katie Nolan. Windgap’s Gaule slotted the free over, to bring it back to a 1-point game. Netminder Aoife Norris then prevented a fourth goal-scoring opportunity for the Tribeswomen, when she bravely managed to block Niamh Hanni y’s goalbound e ort out for a ‘45. Carrie Dolan managed to slot it over to restore the 2-point lead. e second big moment of the game was on hand. Kilkenny picked up possession out under the Cusack Stand. e industrious Katie Power made a diagonal run with the ball, before sending a precision pass to wingball, before sending a precision pass to wingback Laura Murphy who had roamed forward. back Laura Murphy who had roamed forward. e O’Loughlin’s woman gathered the sliotar e O’Loughlin’s woman gathered the sliotar before turning and sending a erce low shot before turning and sending a erce low shot beyond the sprawling Healy in the the Galway beyond the sprawling Healy in the the Galway goal! e Cats now led by one, 1-7 to 0-9, 37 goal! e Cats now led by one, 1-7 to 0-9, 37 minutes of semi- nal action played. minutes of semi- nal action played.

Dowling’s ladies also struck the next two Dowling’s ladies also struck the next two scores via Katie Nolan (free) and another scores via Katie Nolan (free) and another classy point from Mullinavat’s Malone. Her classy point from Mullinavat’s Malone. Her return from down under has added much return from down under has added much to this Kilkenny panel. Denise Gaule who to this Kilkenny panel. Denise Gaule who was playing much deeper than her number was playing much deeper than her number suggested then was booked for hauling down suggested then was booked for hauling down Aoife Donohue, Carrie Dolan got a muchAoife Donohue, Carrie Dolan got a muchneeded score for Cathal Murray’s team. e needed score for Cathal Murray’s team. e then hit 2-in-a-row via Aoife Donohue and then hit 2-in-a-row via Aoife Donohue and another placed ball for Dolan. e sides were another placed ball for Dolan. e sides were level again with ten minutes of normal time level again with ten minutes of normal time remaining. remaining.

Laura Murphy then found herself in space Laura Murphy then found herself in space having vacated her defensive position and having vacated her defensive position and manger to pop over a cracking point from manger to pop over a cracking point from distance. Nolan then ri ed over a fee after distance. Nolan then ri ed over a fee after Miriam Walsh was halted in her tracks. Katie Miriam Walsh was halted in her tracks. Katie Power then sent a nice pass to Julieann Malone Power then sent a nice pass to Julieann Malone who notched her 4th point of the game to leave who notched her 4th point of the game to leave the Noresiders a goal to the good. the Noresiders a goal to the good.

Galway needed a major response, but Galway needed a major response, but the Kilkenny defence stood rm, tackling, the Kilkenny defence stood rm, tackling, hooking, blocking and putting their bodies on the lines. Siobhan McGrath sent on a long ball towards the danger zone, but it struck the post and the Cats worked the sliotar up the park quickly. Katie Nolan passed to substitute Sophie Dwyer, who split the posts, much to the delight of the travelling Kilkenny faithful. e game was deep into injury time, some six minutes, when Andy Larkin blew for full-time. e Cats had done it, another All-Ireland Final beckons for this team. Final Score at Croker, Kilkenny 1-13, Galway 0-12.

Scorers for Kilkenny: J Malone 0-4; L Murphy 1-1; K Nolan 0-3(2fs); M O’Connell, D Gaule (fs) 0-2 each; S Dwyer 0-1 Scorers for Galway: C Dolan 0-8(6fs, 1 45); A Donohue 0-2; A O’Reilly, C Finnerty 0-1 each KILKENNY: A Norris, T Fitzgerald, M Teehan, Claire Phelan, N Deely, G Walsh, S Fitzgerald, L Murphy, K Power, J Malone, D Gaule, M Kenneally, M O’Connell, M Walsh, K Nolan. Subs: S Dwyer for Kenneally (49); M Bambrick for Murphy (59), A Prendergast for Power (60), Ciara Phelan for T Fitzgerald (60+5). GALWAY: Sarah Healy, R Hanni y, S Dervan, H Cooney, E Helebert, Shauna Healy, R Black, A Donohue, Ni Kilkenny, N Hanni y, A O’Reilly, C Dolan, C Finnerty, S McGrath, S Rabbitte. Subs: D Higgins for Rabbitte (37); Á Keane for O’Reilly (54); S Gardiner for Helebert (58); S Spellman for McGrath (60). REFEREE: Andy Larkin (Cork).

>> SHERRY SAYS...

What a battle this was! When these two meet, there is normally very little between them, and again this proved to be the case.

I’ll disagree with RTE, for me Aoife Norris’s 4 wonderful saves, to prevetn certain goals fro Galway was the overall difference between the sides. Believe me, that doesn’t take away from the excellent Michelle Teehan, the classy Claire Phelan or the leader that Grace Walsh clearly is.

Brian Dowling’s panel gave everything, the sheer spirit, grit and determination to prevent the dangerous Galway attack from functioning to its potential. The hooking, blocking, tackling, hounding, all necessary and trademark Kilkenny skills.

Miriam Walsh may not have scored, but her constant running created space for others to prosper. The Tullaroan woman caused Galway captain Sarah Dervan many problems during the game. Denise Gaule had a mixed day at the office. She covered every blade of grass, defended like her life depended upon it but her normally accurate radar was a little off when chances arose.

Julieann Malone’s 0-4 was very impressive. Like I say, she has added much to this panel since her return from Oz. Katie Nolan too was lively throughout and slotted over a couple of frees when on duty.

Katie Power, never stopped, but was much more effective when deployed further forward. Her vision to pick out Laura Murphy for the only goal of the game was classy.

Defensively we shut down the dangerous Sabina Rabbitte, the rampaging Niamh Kilkenny and Siobhan McGrath. We stopped those in maroon socring from the 50th minute. That takes some doing.

So it’s the Rebel’s in the decider on August 7th. We certainly owe them one from last years semi-final defeat, not to mention the 2018 final! Like matches with Galway, there doesn’t tend to be much between Cork and Kilkenny when they meet. As long as we are on the right side at the final whistle.