He’s been in the job since November 1998, and in 2021 he matched Sean Boylan’s record for 23 seasons in charge of one county.
Now, Brian Cody gets to break that record with the James Stephens’ clubman, 67 last birthday, ratified as Kilkenny’s senior hurling manager for an incredible 24th term.
The news was announced following a meeting of county officials on Monday.
Notably the announcement confirms the departure of Richie Mulrooney at U-17/minor grade.
Official statement
Per a statement issued by Kilkenny GAA,
“Following a meeting of the Kilkenny GAA County Board on Monday night, Brian Cody has been ratified as Kilkenny Senior Manager for the 2022 season. James McGarry, Martin Comerford and Conor Phelan will be selectors for the season ahead.
At U-20 Derek Lyng has been ratified as manager for the season ahead, with Peter Barry, Michael Rice and Peter Donovan on board as selectors.
At U-17 Niall Bergin has been ratified as manager. A management team to assist Niall will [be] confirmed at a later date.
“Kilkenny GAA would like to take this opportunity to wish all our management teams and panels the best of luck in the season ahead.”
Mixed success
The Cats found Leinster success once more this year, seeing off Wexford in extra time 2-37 to 2-29 at the semi-final stages before overcoming Dublin in Croke Park 1-25 to 0-19 in July.
That paved the way for a showdown with Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final. Again the game went to extra time but Cork produced plenty of scores from the bench to see the game off 1-37 to 1-32 and set up a final date with Limerick.
Unfortunately for the Leesiders, Limerick proved why they had been given top pick for 2021’s championship as they put 3-18 past Cork in the first half alone to run out 3-32 to 1-22 winners in front of 40,000 fans.
Kilkenny’s semi-final defeat was the second in successive campaigns, and while the Cats contested the All-Ireland final against Tipperary in 2019, they’ve not captured the Liam MacCarthy cup since 2015.
With Cody back at the helm for 2022 and fans likely to fill GAA grounds around the country in the new year, will we see a resurgence in form for Kilkenny?
