VIRUS TIPPED THE BALANCE IN FINAL

BRIAN CODY accepts that Dublin were at a disadvantage as Kilkenny cruised to a nine-point Leinster final win.

It secured back-to-back provincial crowns for the Cats after Dublin lost four players on the morning of the game due to Covid-19 cases and contact tracing.

“Everybody is going to have to be really, really careful,” said Cody (inset).

“Anyone who wants to continue playing sport… Dublin were disadvantaged, there is no doubt about that.”

Kilkenny got off to a rolling start as they led 0-4 to 0-0, and finished in convincing fashion — as TJ Reid top-scored with 1-10.

“A huge, strong challenge from Dublin definitely,” Cody said. “Our lads kept working and tapping points at important times and eventually we got there.

“It was a fierce battle for the majority of the game. The workrate was strong through all the field and it had to be.”

Dublin boss Mattie Kenny insisted he would not make excuses for his side’s defeat, despite

Covid absences and losing both Eoghan O’Donnell and Mark Schutte to injury. Cian O’Callaghan was absent from the fullback line due to the public health guidelines, while target man Ronan Hayes was also unable to feature — with Andrew Dunphy and Schutte starting.

“Ronan is having a great season,” said Kenny. “That’s sport and while we’re disappointed this morning, yes we were, is it an excuse? No, it’s not.”

Kenny hopes to have the missing players back in the lead-up to their All-Ireland quarter-final.

“Croke Park made themselves very, very clear that these games had to go ahead,” he said.

“I tell you, I guarantee you these guys will bounce back from this.”