Henry Shefflin played under Brian Cody’s management for his entire 16-year career, during which he established a claim to be regarded as the best hurler of all time.
Cody is still at the helm in Kilkenny, leading them for a 24th successive season while Shefflin is in his first year in management with Galway.
It adds to the intrigue of the Galway-Kilkenny clash in a weekend when one Munster and three Leinster ‘round robin’ games are on the agenda.
They last met in the Leinster final in 2020 when Kilkenny won by two points in Croke Park.
It ended a good run by Galway, who had won three and drawn one of the previous four meetings with Kilkenny.
Kilkenny have won their opening two games in the current ‘round robin’ series, beating Westmeath and Laois.
Galway drew with Wexford and beat Westmeath. This will be the 48th championship meeting between Galway and Kilkenny.
The Cats lead 32-12 with three draws from the previous 47 clashes.
Brian Cody has managed Kilkenny 21 times against Galway in the championship since taking over for the start of the 1999 season, winning twelve (2000-2004-2006-2007-2009-2010-2012-2014-2015 (twice)-2016-2020), drawing three (2012-2014-2018) and losing six (2001-2005-2012-2018 (twice) 2019.
Henry Shefflin becomes the ninth Galway manager who has pitted his wits against Brian Cody in the championship.
The others are Mattie Murphy, Noel Lane, Conor Hayes, Ger Loughnane, John McIntyre, Anthony Cunningham and Micheal Donoghue, Shane O’Neill.
Galway will be away to Laois and home to Dublin in their last two ‘round robin ‘games and Kilkenny will be away to Dublin and home to Wexford.
The fixtures are as follows:
Sunday: Leinster
Galway v Kilkenny, Pearse Stadium , 2.0;
Laois v Wexford, MW Hire O’Moore Park, 2.30;
Westmeath v Dublin, TEG Cusack Park, 3.0
.