HE’S PLAYED WITH, against and managed some of the greatest defenders of all time but one stands above all others in Brian Cody’s eyes. The ten-time All-Ireland winning Kilkenny boss has admitted that JJ Delaney’s retirement took him by surprise but respects the All Star full-back’s decision to bow out at the top.
And Cody believes that the Fenians man was the best back man in the business. Delaney’s haul of medals backs up his former manager’s assertion. Delaney, 32, won nine All-Ireland SHC medals and seven All Stars in a glittering career that began in 2001 and ended at Croke Park last September with Kilkenny’s All-Ireland final replay victory over neighbours and arch-rivals Tipperary.
During the first half of that game, Delaney somehow managed to get back to execute a terrific hook on Tipperary forward Seamus Callanan, who looked odds on to score the opening goal of the game.
Delaney, who Cody believes had more to give, also won ten Leinster SHC medals and eight National Hurling League titles.
JJ was injured for the 2006 All-Ireland final. I said at the time that I had never seen a better defender and I haven’t seen anything to change my mind since. I have never seen a better defender than JJ Delaney.
Cody is planning for the 2015 campaign without not only Delaney, but also fellow defenders Brian Hogan and Tommy Walsh, along with goalkeeper David Herity. Retirements, injuries and the absence of the Ballyhale Shamrocks contingent have left Cody short on numbers for Saturday’s Allianz Hurling League opener away to Cork.
Delaney’s decision to call time on his career in black and amber took hurling fans by surprise. And Cody insisted: ”I think everybody feels there is more in JJ. But again that is only for JJ to decide and JJ has decided that there is more in him from a club hurling point of view and is going to continue to play hurling. But he has decided, no, that after a wonderful career that he is finished at inter county.”
After winning ten Leinster titles, nine All-Ireland medals, seven National Leagues and nine All Stars, Tullaroan tyro Walsh is also gone. And Cody summed up his contribution to the game with a gushing tribute.
He added: “Tommy is the game of hurling and nobody epitomises it to me more than Tommy Walsh ever did, just outstanding in every aspect. He was everything.
“Brian Hogan gave massive service as a centre back and was the top centre back in the game for a number of years definitely and there was outstanding service from Aidan Fogarty for many years. He was man of the match in the 2006 All-Ireland final, gave great service and work rate around the field at all times. David Herity as a goalkeeper gave terrific service as well.”
