HE MAY HAVE watched Kilkenny reach the All-Ireland SHC final for the 13th time in the 16 seasons he has been in charge, but there can’t be many occasions when Brian Cody’s team has had to dig as deep as they did today.
Everything Limerick threw at them, they took on the chin, dug in and re-doubled their efforts.
So it should be no surprise that Cody was equal parts happy and proud after the game, telling RTÉ television:
“It was a tremendous battle, there were savage questions asked of us today but, thanks be to God, we were able to answer them.”
The Kilkenny boss also heaped praise on Limerick who played their part in an enthralling game.
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“It was a really tough day, ferocious rain fell at different times but it was a fantastic game and we came out on the right side of it but Limerick were outstanding as well.
“They really pushed us every single step of the way and no matter what happened they kept coming and and coming so we had to play really well, show great determination and it was a never say die effort to keep it going.
“But look, we’ve done that and we’ve done it before and we’re in the All-Ireland final and that’s a good place to be.”
Hogan after the game. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
Cody was also keen to stress that, due to the close nature of the encounter, he and his management team had a few heart in their mouth moments towards the end.
“It was such a battle, to come out on the right side of a game like that you don’t know where it’s going.
“A long ball came into the square at the end and Paul Murphy caught it in his hand and off he went but, who knows, a goal there and it was all over for us.”
He admits it may not have been the prettiest game to watch on television though.
“I thought the tackling and work-rate from our lads was immense. The chasing and hook, the refusal to give up. That was the key to it, it wasn’t a day for beautiful hurling because striking was difficult, shooting was difficult, but it’s not difficult to keep going and put that effort in to keep going.”
'There were savage questions asked of us today' - Brian Cody
HE MAY HAVE watched Kilkenny reach the All-Ireland SHC final for the 13th time in the 16 seasons he has been in charge, but there can’t be many occasions when Brian Cody’s team has had to dig as deep as they did today.
Everything Limerick threw at them, they took on the chin, dug in and re-doubled their efforts.
So it should be no surprise that Cody was equal parts happy and proud after the game, telling RTÉ television:
The Kilkenny boss also heaped praise on Limerick who played their part in an enthralling game.
“It was a really tough day, ferocious rain fell at different times but it was a fantastic game and we came out on the right side of it but Limerick were outstanding as well.
“They really pushed us every single step of the way and no matter what happened they kept coming and and coming so we had to play really well, show great determination and it was a never say die effort to keep it going.
“But look, we’ve done that and we’ve done it before and we’re in the All-Ireland final and that’s a good place to be.”
Cody was also keen to stress that, due to the close nature of the encounter, he and his management team had a few heart in their mouth moments towards the end.
“It was such a battle, to come out on the right side of a game like that you don’t know where it’s going.
“A long ball came into the square at the end and Paul Murphy caught it in his hand and off he went but, who knows, a goal there and it was all over for us.”
He admits it may not have been the prettiest game to watch on television though.
“I thought the tackling and work-rate from our lads was immense. The chasing and hook, the refusal to give up. That was the key to it, it wasn’t a day for beautiful hurling because striking was difficult, shooting was difficult, but it’s not difficult to keep going and put that effort in to keep going.”
Kilkenny’s survival, Limerick’s heartache and the rest of today’s hurling talking points
Amazing cats and professional fouls – Twitter’s take on today’s hurling in Croke Park
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Brian Cody Close encounter All-Ireland Senior HC World Cup 2014 GAA Reaction Kilkenny Limerick