KILKENNY BOSS BRIAN Cody is set to take a break from inter-county management after undergoing pre-planned cardiac surgery today.

The Kilkenny county board confirmed in a statement tonight that the Cats manager is not to be involved with the reigning All-Ireland champions for several weeks.

Cody was on the sideline last Sunday in Nowlan Park as Kilkenny defeated Cork and qualified for the Division 1 hurling league semi-finals.

They are set to face Galway in the last four on Sunday April 21st but their legendary manager is not set to be at the helm for that game.

Instead long-serving selector Martin Fogarty and team trainer Michael Dempsey will take the reins.

The county board statement reads in full:

Kilkenny Senior Hurling Manager Brian Cody underwent pre-planned cardiac surgery today and is currently recovering in hospital. He is in good form but has to take a break from team affairs for a number of weeks.
In his absence Martin Fogarty and Michael Dempsey will be taking charge of the Senior Hurling Panel. The Co. Board asks that Brian and his family be afforded privacy for the duration of his recovery and will not be issuing any further statements.
Sincerely
Mr. Ned Quinn
Co. Chairman

Cody, who won three All-Ireland senior hurling titles as a player, has managed his county to lift the Liam McCarthy Cup on nine occasions.

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