GAA: CODY RED

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Jul 25, 2004 | by GAVIN CUMMISKEY

THIS may be Clare's last stand, but Brian Cody has never been one for sentiment.

The Kilkenny boss has seen his team rediscover their ruthless streak since losing the Leinster semi-final to Wexford last month, and it's hard to see anyone stopping them.

And it seems no-one can stop them off the field either, for this was the week that Cody managed to avoid a potential eight-week touchline ban for allegedly verbal abuse of the referee and a linesman during their impressive rout of Galway.

Cody got off with a 'stern verbal reprimand' - a real boost ahead of the acid test of the summer and a repeat of the 2002 All-Ireland final.

This can only help Kilkenny's cause, along with the fact several of Clare's players are on their last legs - the remains of the glorious summers of 1995 and 1997 when the Liam McCarthy Cup paid a double visit to the Banner county.

A comprehensive defeat to Waterford early in the campaign started tongues wagging about how much gas was left in the tank of those like Seanie McMahon, Brian Lohan and Colm Lynch.

This lacklustre performance had Clare looking like the heavyweight boxer who'd fought one too many fights.

Yet, they still have their pride. The hugely impressive nine- point trouncing of Offaly last week has suddenly given a future to new manager and former captain Anthony Daly.

Cody admitted: "They have totally turned it around. The manner in which they comprehensively beat Offaly was impressive.

"It's going to be as tough as you could possibly get, for both sides."

Yet, the smart money is still firmly on the defending All-Ireland champions. The manner in which they have re-discovered their verve has been frightening. Due to the extra number of games they have got under their belt in the qualifiers they now seem to be better than ever.

Cody agrees: "It's not too bad as we now have games every two weeks.

"However, if we had won Leinster there would have been a six-week gap to the All-Ireland semi-finals, so we are not in the dark regarding form.

"If you ask any manager they'd prefer to have regular competition."

They obliterated Dublin and the manner in which national league champions Galway were put to the sword a fortnight ago spells disaster for Daly and Co.

Eddie Brennan is turning into the country's best hurler, a position held by team-mate Henry Shefflin while Martin Comerford and DJ Carey have yet to hit full throttle - another scary thought for Clare's defence.

Crucially they must cope without Brian Lohan, who has been let down once more by a dodgy hamstring.

Kilkenny have injury problems of their own, but the loss of right half-forward Conor Phelan (broken thumb) was offset by the promotion of Pat Tennyson. A ideal example of their strength in depth.

THE LIKELY LINE-UPS

KILKENNY CLARE

J McGARRY D FITZGERALD

J RYALL B QUINN

N HICKEY B LOHAN

T WALSH G O'GRADY

R MULLALLY D HOEY

P BARRY S McMAHON

JJ DELANEY A MARKHAM

D LYNG C LYNCH

K COOGAN D McMAHON

M COMERFORD F LOHAN

H SHEFFLIN A QUINN

P TENNYSON A FORDE

E BRENNAN N GILLIGAN

DJ CAREY T GRIFFIN

J COOGAN T CARMODY