HOPE FOR WALSH PAIR, HOGAN ON VERGE OF A COMEBACK WHILE CODY LAUDS SHEFFLIN
KILKENNY will hope to have Walter Walsh and Pádraig Walsh back in contention when All-Ireland champions Limerick come to Nowlan Park next weekend. Cats boss Brian Cody claimed that Cillian Buckley remains out with a knee injury while talented youngster Bill Sheehan will be out for a couple of months with a broken wrist. However, former Hurler of the Year Richie Hogan is on the verge of a comeback. ‘Cillian is out and I can’t put a time-frame on that,’ Cody said yesterday, when there was an announcement of Glanbia as Kilkenny’s sponsor for another three years. ‘Pádraig got a bit of time last week, Walter is ready to come back and Richie got a nice bit done.’ Ballyhale Shamrocks are involved in the All-Ireland club semi-final against Ballygunner today while a number of the younger players are involved in Fitzgibbon Cup, so Cody is working with a depleted panel at present. ‘It’s just that time of the year. The new format has changed things because you’re going Sunday-Sunday-Sunday-Sunday in the League, then the club month kicks in and you’re back to the Championship, Sunday-Sunday-Sunday-Sunday again. ‘So, there’s a different demand and even a slight injury now it’s hard. Before, if a player even had a hamstring, there was a bit of time, a chance to get them back in a few weeks. Now a few weeks could mean missing three or four matches.’ Henry Shefflin, for so long Cody’s on-field general, will try and lead Ballyhale to an All-Ireland final in his first year as manager. Cody always knew his most gifted player would make a boss. ‘He was a leader in every way. He wasn’t necessarily shouting and roaring in the dressing-room, but he spoke with authority and spoke sense. He understood exactly the qualities needed. ‘Of course, he knew the importance of the work and the selflessness required – he epitomised that. ‘The respect he would immediately garner in any dressing-room, his knowledge of the game, and his personality, which is crucial to the whole thing. ‘He has a huge amount to offer,’ added Cody, where it was also confirmed that Glanbia would sponsor all hurling and football teams in the county from Under-14 to senior.