Limerick can stretch Kilkenny’s defiance

AS admirable as the effort of England in Russia is Kilkenny’s continuing defiance of hurling’s reordered world.

At half time in Thurles last Sunday, a hiding for Brian Cody’s team looked unavoidable.

Galway were easily the better team, but Cody did everything in his power to resist the inevitability of defeat. Colin Fennelly and Richie Hogan, not fit enough to start, came on after the interval and scored 1-1 apiece, but what was as important to Kilkenny’s resistance was the willingness of players to battle.

It marbled the entire team, and it made Galway sweat through the third quarter.

The class of the champions eventually won through, but Kilkenny fought on their backs. It is the only quality that this group shares with their fearsome forebears, in particular the great team that ruled between 2006 and 2009. Otherwise, they are limited, but what keeps them prominent is their courage. And Cody (left) is responsible for that. He is inspiring a largely uninspired squad to play beyond themselves.

When he spoke after defeat to Galway, however, he understood that the effort they expended on two baking hot days on consecutive Sundays would impact on today’s match against Limerick.

The latter are formidable, and will understood how vulnerable their opponents are. Kilkenny will not surrender, but their summer ambitions now look in great peril.