SOME THINGS CHANGE but others remain the same.
Brian Cody had one hell of a year in 1975.
At intercounty level, he won All-Ireland senior and U21 medals, and collected an Allstar award for the very first time.
The Kilkenny GAA yearbook of 1975 detailed the fabulous achievements of the James Stephens stalwart 40 years ago.
Four decades on, Cody continues to achieve incredible levels of success, as he aims to collect an 11th All-Ireland senior title as Cats senior boss on Sunday.
The Kilkenny yearbook describes Cody’s first Allstar award, in the left corner back position, brilliantly.
Cody was honoured “for the supreme self assurance and the exciting spirit of adventure he has shown at such an early stage of his senior career.”
There was much more glory to come for Cody as a player, and later as a manager.
In 1975, he was also a key member of the James Stephens team that defeated Galmoy to win the county SHC final.
It was also one of those years that more seasoned Noreside hurling aficionados remember fondly.
As well as U21 and senior All-Irelands, Kilkenny also captured the minor title while St Kieran’s collected their seventh Croke Cup.
Not content with that, Kilkenny beat Tipperary to win the All-Ireland vocational schools crown.
Those successes prompted yearbook editor Peter Holohan to reflect on “the greatest year in history.”
Holohan rightly reflected that “Kilkenny hurling is in safe hands.”
Same as it ever was.