BRIAN CODY MAY have had plenty to say about Barry Kelly’s refereeing performance in last year’s drawn All-Ireland final after the Cats had beaten Tipperary in the replay.
But the Cats boss was in no mood to revisit his ‘criminal’ comment when quizzed by reporters at a Nowlan Park press briefing yesterday.
Cody escaped censure from Croke Park after he slammed Kelly’s decision to award Tipp a late free in an epic Croke Park decider last September.
John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer shot narrowly wide to ensure that the match finished level but Cody held his counsel until after the replay win to unload both barrels on the Westmeath official.
Cody said at the time: “They (Tipperary) were handed an opportunity which was a completely wrong decision. We didn’t speak about it the last day but it was criminal.”
Cody was warned by Croke Park chiefs as to his future conduct in media interviews and swatted away any discussion on the episode yesterday, at a press event to promote Kilkenny’s renewal of their annual sponsorship partnership with Glanbia.
When asked for his reaction to the warning from GAA HQ, Cody replied tersely: “I’m not even interested in discussing it.”
Another reporter asked Cody how he would react when, and if, Kelly ever handles another big championship game involving the Noresiders.
He replied: “My last answer should suggest that there wouldn’t even be any more questions because I wouldn’t be interested in discussing it.”
Ouch!
Originally published at 0600
Great manager, his record will never be beaten but a disgraceful attack on Barry Kelly. The GAA bigwigs bottled out of punishing him because his name is Brian Cody. Shameful. Watch them make an example of less high profile people this year.
He’s had plenty of decisions go his way over the years so the guy shoud have kept his mouth shut in the first place.
Cody is a bully just like fergie was with utd,media and refs afraid to stand up to him, it seems to go hand in hand with long-term success
Sounds like the green eyed monster is out in force again, every decision that goes against Kilkenny is the correct one and any decision that is awarded to Kilkenny is either dubious or the wrong decision, give it a rest.
Anyway why are we talking about this again, time to move on not look back.
Cody is a f…..g legend!!!
He should if he wants, shur he can say or do what he likes now, he knows the GAA are afraid of him.
I think Brian has the expected passion and drive of a successful manager. After Dublin beat them in the championship 2 years ago and also in a tv interview after the league final v Dublin he gave nothing but praise towards the Dubs after each game. Because of his continued success, people will always criticise a manager like him, but whether in public or in private, each and every manager at all levels of GAA will look upto him and will use his drive to push their own teams on.
Get over it lads he is best manager ok so lick it or lump it