Eoin Cody excited about Kilkenny's potential
Eoin Cody pictured at UPMC Nowlan Park as oneills.com, leading online sportswear retailer, with the GAA are delighted to announce the third year of their U20 GAA All-Ireland Hurling Championship sponsorship deal. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
An inter-county senior hurler since 2020, Eoin Cody has adapted to different circumstances.
That is part and parcel of representing Kilkenny, but the transition from Brian Cody to Derek Lyng has been smooth. The same core black and amber values remain.
When asked about the seamless transition, Eoin Cody responds instantly. “I would say the exact same word – seamless,” Cody replies.
“I suppose it doesn't matter who we have managing us, the players we have there aren't going to let the standards drop. Lads there, the likes of TJ (Reid), (Cillian) Buckley, Wally (Walsh), they have been there for long enough to understand how a team should run, how a dressing room should be run, how players should be.
“I think if you had any coach in the dressing room, it would be the exact same. Derek has very similar traits and personality as Brian.
“He wants the same stuff, he probably starts with attitude, work rate, hooks and blocks, the same things you'd associate with Brian. That hasn't changed.”
New players are beginning to emerge which is a further source of optimism. “It has been great, there is a new generation,” Cody adds.
“Derek came in with the U20s, that is the way I'd describe it, probably it has maybe the generation has changed a small bit with a lot of the U20s, who were successful two years ago in with us. We are probably trying to build for the future a small bit more, now.”
Suddenly, Cody is one of the more experienced players in the Kilkenny panel. Impressing in training, at underage and club level can lead to significant rewards according to Cody. “There are loads of young lads in at the moment,” he says.
Kilkenny's Eoin Cody in Allianz Hurling League action. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
“They have the oneills.com U20 Championship coming up soon, we will be keeping an eye on all the players there. We have a lot of lads on the fringes of the panel, they are really pushing on.
“A good performance in them U20 games could help them grab a position on the senior team because we train the way we play. If you train well, you'll get a chance at senior.
“We've seen that through the league, lads have got a chance. We are all really looking forward to the year ahead.”
Saturday’s Allianz Hurling League semi-final clash against Kilkenny at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh is next on the agenda.
As Ballyhale Shamrocks not reaching the AIB Leinster or All-Ireland Club series, Cody’s preparation has altered compared to previous campaigns.
There was a brief sabbatical from hurling. “It was grand,” Cody says. “I am in final year of college at the moment so it let me prioritise a bit of college work rather than the hurling, for the first time in a long time.
“Probably couldn’t have came at a better time considering I was in final year and I really have had my head down more the last couple of months to try to get the work done.
“Yeah look, it was something different, it was probably the mental break more than anything else.
“Coming back into Championship sniffing around the corner, you are mentally focusing again there and really looking forward to the year ahead.”
TJ Reid and Eoin Cody celebrate after a Kilkenny goal in the 2023 All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final against Clare at Croke Park. Photo by John Sheridan/Sportsfile
It has been a rewarding spell for Cody in SETU Carlow where former Kilkenny selector Michael Dempsey has provided plenty of guidance and assistance. “He was a great help to me over the last couple of years, he really helped me get through college,” Cody explains.
“I probably found the academic side a small bit tough, but Mick was great to get me through it. Carlow is only up the road, half an hour spin in the morning and I'd be up there. So, it was grand staying at home, getting my stuff done, it was ideal.”
Limerick have enjoyed All-Ireland and Allianz League Final triumphs over Kilkenny in recent years. Cody wants Kilkenny to summon a defiant display Leeside this weekend. "I suppose they know how to win,” Cody says.
“They're a physical side, big men and the way they hurl is second to none. Their skill, their use of the ball and maybe their intelligence and the way they train and stuff is just brilliant.
“They can go short, they can go long, they can do it whatever way they want. It's no problem for them. T they know how to win and get over the line. Regardless of how well they play, they still manage to get over the line in the end."
One player still going strong for Ballyhale and Kilkenny, TJ Reid, continues to supply leadership and inspiration. “He's been on the panel since 2008 so he knows what you have to do to get to the top and how to win,” Cody says.
“Individually he probably helps you to get the best out of yourself as a player and he gives that experience to the younger players on the team.
“Especially being from the same club as him in Ballyhale, you learn so much from what he does on the pitch and off the pitch. He's a real leader on the team and it's great to have him again for the 2024 season."
