BRIAN BLESSED WITH RARE GIFT
Boylan hails ‘ extraordinary’ teacher as Kilkenny boss gets 23rd year
SEAN Boylan has hailed Brian Cody’s achievement in reaching the magic 23- year mark in the Kilkenny hurling hot- seat.
C o d y ’s p o s i t i o n wa s ratified at a Kilkenny county b o a r d m e e t i n g l a s t night, amidst some rare background criticism of the serial winner.
The rumblings were made public by former Cats star Aidan Fogarty in December, when he said: “We haven’t won an All- Ireland in five years and to us, I suppose, that’s nearly a drought.
“If i t was any other manager in Kilkenny, I think his head would be on the chopping block.”
H o w e v e r C o d y, 6 6 , remains in situ after leading his county to another Leinster title and a All- Ireland semi- final in 2020, when a fierce Waterford comeback ended hopes of Kilkenny reaching the decider for the second year in a row.
Regardless of what happens in the future, Cody’s legendary status is untouchable. He has presided over 11 All- Ireland triumphs, 16 Leinster crowns and nine League titles.
The three- time All- Ireland winner as a player has b e en i n charge f or 105 C h a mp i o n s h i p g a m e s , including 78 wins, eight draws and 19 losses. “Micko ( Mick O’dwyer) was the same with Kerry, winning f our All- Irel ands as a player. These men are freaks,” said Boylan, who guided the Meath footballers to four All- Ireland triumphs.
He i s a good fri end of Cody and is delighted the James Stephens man joined him on the record total of years in charge.
“I ’ l l n e v e r f orge t t h e words Brian said to me in ‘ 99, when Cork beat Kilkenny in the AllIreland final.
“He said, ‘ Sean I hope thi s never h a p p e n s t o me again’ and there was something so resolute in the way he said it.
“There was nothing bitter in it, but you just knew he would do e ver y thing t o prevent it happening, and he did.”
Boylan ( i nset) himself had a strong hurling background – even managing the Meath hurlers before taking on the football post – and has l ong admired Kilkenny’s hurling royalty.
Cody is at the top of that list.
“The thing about Brian is, he always wants t o see people achieve perfection,” said Boylan. “It’s the teacher in him, it’s about not just going o u t there to perform but to make it special. His players have a lot of special memories to look back on.
“He’s just an extraordinary man and I’m delighted for him.”
Wit h a n o t h e r f r i e n d , Mickey Harte, recently leaving the Tyrone job after 18 years, Boylan recognises that the days of long- term managers might be over.
“You probably won’t see it again and it may be because there are so many demands on people nowadays,” said the 78- year- old.
“I t ’ s a b o u t g e t t i n g success quickly, but only on e manager c a n have major success in a year.
“No one will have to tell B r i a n w h e n t h e t i me comes but he’s still there introducing new lads and winning Leinsters, as Kilkenny did again this year. All I know is that when you’re in it, you don’t realise how long it is. It was never a burden or a chore, and I know that’s how Brian sees it.”