BRIAN Cody was managing his county long before many of the players involved in yesterday’s epic final could swing a hurl properly. Over the last 24 years, the men of Kilkenny and Limerick who fought out a breathless battle at Croke Park have mastered the arts of the game and Cody has learned to treat the two imposters, victory and defeat, in the same stoic manner.
But the Kilkenny veteran admitted he was “hugely disappointed” after his class of 2022 came so close to delivering his 12th Liam MacCarthy Cup.
Despite seeming second best for much of the first half, they trailed by only four points at the break and the game was level with seven minutes to go but it was Limerick who kicked on to complete a three in-a-row that only Kilkenny, Cork and Tipperary had managed before.
“It was close, for sure, in the end,” said Cody.
“Ah look, we were playing the All-Ireland champions. Obviously we weren’t, according to most people’s predictions, we weren’t even at the level we needed to be to have a chance of getting to an All-Ireland final.
“But I think our players deserve fantastic admiration for the way they fought it out. The early goal gave them a huge boost, great confidence and gave them that cushion the whole way right up to half-time. They got some great scores.
“At half-time, we were just four points down which is not a big lead in hurling. Second-half then, we fought well, we fought it out and fought it out. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to where we wanted to get to.
“Obviously, we congratulate Limerick, All-Ireland champions, three in a row champions which is a huge achievement for them and I just think every Kilkenny person should be very, very proud of the Kilkenny team performance.”
Limerick’s victory means they have Kilkenny’s four in-a-row record now in their sights. The Cats recorded the feat between 2006 and 2009 and showed yesterday that they will not surrender their record without a furious battle next season.
Second half goals from Martin Keoghan and Billy Ryan had swung the momentum Kilkenny’s way but the individual brilliance of the likes of Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes and Aaron Gillane enabled Limerick to come out on top.
“They were able to keep in touch with points and were able to keep themselves ahead on the scoreboard even though we did draw level,” said Cody.
“Look, a great battle, we are hugely disappointed. All the players are but I just have huge pride for the way they performed.”
