THE OUTLOOK FOR the health and well-being of both Brian Cody and Kilkenny hurling is good after his understudy issued a positive report in the wake of the county’s Division one League title win over Tipperary yesterday.
Michael Dempsey is holding the reins of the All Ireland Champions, along with Martin Fogarty, while Cody recovers from heart surgery.
After the 2-17 to 0-20 victory over Tipperary at Nowlan Park, Dempsey told GAA.ie that the legendary hurling boss was fit enough to venture into the ground on Saturday o watch a minor match, but chose not to face the glare of media attention and a large crowd in a fervent atmosphere.
“He was at a minor match here yesterday so obviously he didn’t want to face ye fellas (the media) today. With the crowd and all that going on today, he said he would come in yesterday at his ease.
“Hopefully he will come back shortly and I would say that he might be back quicker even that we would have hoped.”
Dempsey also said that Cody was more than happy to allow himself and Fogarty take on the responsibility of senior team matters.
‘Get on with it’
To be fair to Brian and this is the person he is, he is very much a delegator and told us to get on with it. Obviously we did want to consult with him and were afraid to make any dramatic changes without his approval.
“But even when we put difficult things to him, he said ‘look, get on with it’. Obviously he was very supportive and it was just unfortunate that he couldn’t be with us today.
“It’s a pity, playing in a national league final in Nowlan Park, that he wasn’t able to be with us because that’s where he would love to be. It’s great that we won today and we hope to have him back shortly.”
