You would be surprised by the amount of young Kilkenny fans who would not remember a time before B.C. (Brian Cody).
Even some players such as current Captain Eoin Cody, were not born when Brian started his tenure in charge of The Cats back in 1998.
So it is truly a historic moment for many to watch Derek Lyng manage the Black and Amber at Croke Park, with Kevin Fennally the last man not named Brian Cody to do so. That was a losing effort on the day to Offaly, and interestingly enough Brian taking charge the next year also resulted in losing the final. Cork ran out the 1999 winners to hand Kilkenny their first back-to-back All-Ireland final defeats since 1945-46.
In fact, Ollie Walsh was the last man not named Brian Cody, to win an All-Ireland title for the Cats, thirty years ago in 1993. Derek has the chance to do something monumental. The Emeralds man has already etched himself into the history books by winning the Leinster title in dramatic fashion much to the delight of the former boss.
The Cats have the Last Laugh!
— sportsfile (@sportsfile) June 11, 2023
Former Kilkenny manager Brian Cody celebrates among fellow supporters after the dramatic end to the Leinster SHC Final between Kilkenny and Galway at Croke Park!
📸 @SportsfilePOM https://t.co/zkZRQGUI8V pic.twitter.com/Tm06W6xGK6
Not a lot has been publically heard of Brian Cody since stepping down after last year’s final. However, he had been seen on the sideline of some club matches last year.
The 11-time All-Ireland winning manager returned as a selector under Seamus Dwyer as the Village advanced to the county final where they were defeated by Ballyhale Shamrocks . Now Brian is back in the managerial chair much to the delight of his former inter-county warrior and club man Eoin Larkin;
“We are delighted to have him back. He came back last year in the latter rounds of the championship as a selector with us. Seamus Dywer stepped away at the end of the year, Brian wanted the job and got it.”
“It’s brilliant to have a man of that caliber over the team. It’s brilliant for our club, for the young guys coming through, and the senior players up there are delighted to have him.”
“He brings all the things he brought to Kilkenny, passion, drive, all that kind of stuff. It’s only great for everyone involved.”
The Club Championship begins for Cody and The Village on the 4th of August as Friday James Stephens take on Graigue Ballycallan in Danesfort at 7 pm.
See also : Kilkenny senior league fixtures dates, times and venues
If I'd known All Ireland Hurling Final tickets are €90 I would've stayed on managing Kilkenny for another few years. Might just go to The Hill. #Gaa
— B-Cody (@BrianCody82) July 17, 2023
You can listen back to full interview with Eoin below on Scoreline Extra:
