GAA:Brian Cody preferred to laud his players after they captured Kilkenny's ninth All-Ireland senior hurling title in of his 13-year tenure. The Cats won today's All-Ireland hurling final replay against Galway by 11 points to register their only win in three games against the Tribesmen this season when it counted most.
The 58-year-old watched helplessly from the sidelines in the two previous meetings, when slow starts culminated in defeat in the Leinster final and a draw three weeks ago, but despite two early Galway goals today, Kilkenny stuck to the plan and demolished Atnhony Cunningham's side over the remainder of the afternoon.
"It was a great performance by the players," said Cody afterwards. "Obviously, we didn't enjoy a great start the last day, nor in the Leinster final, but we got a good start. We were rocked back by two goals but our reply was outstanding. I think the way we played was just excellent. I couldn't have hoped for any better.
"We were put to the pin of our collar right up until half time and beyond. The response at all times was there. We just kept going and we kept pulling away. It was really outstanding stuff."
Cody hailed Henry Shefflin's unique achievement of winning nine All-Ireland titles on the field of play.
"Well, today has set him (Shefflin) apart as a hurler. To win nine All-Irelands on the field of play is something that has never been done before. Noel Hickey did it as well today. He didn't win them all on the field but thanks be to God, he finished it on the field again today.
"Henry's achievements have been absolutely amazing when you consider he came back from two cruciate operations and a shoulder operation at the start of this year. It would have broken most people at his age who'd have been happy to say 'I've had a good innings', but he was just so determined to get back.
"Everyone realises what he did the last day for us here but he has been doing it for us so often. Again, his performance and workrate is just immense. He leads by example. He's the reason why so many young players want to come in and play with Kilkenny.
There was some surprise in the build-up to the game when Cody named Walter Walsh in the starting line-up, given the under-21 star had not played a senior championship game for Kilkenny before this afternoon. Cody was always sure of the call and was vindicated when Walsh scored 1-3.
"You do what you think is the right thing to do and if you're afraid to do that, you shouldn't be out there.
"Walter's form has been serious in training. It might be seen as a big call but if this was the first round of the Leinster championship there'd be no talk about it because everybody makes their debut somewhere, some people start in the Walsh Cup. Walter decided to start in the All-Ireland final, so fair play to him."
The Kilkenny manager dismissed suggestions that after sustained success over the last 13 years his side would lack the drive to win the Liam McCarthy Cup again in 2012.
"There was no way we could be out here if our hunger or determination was in any way diluted at all. If that goes, everything goes. That's there in abundance. That's tribute to everyone involved. We needed it but it was there in so many ways for us, right throughout the field."
He added: "Certain players felt they hadn't performed as well as they could the last day but the resolve that was within those players was so strong. So it was just a question of getting back and just getting into it early and thanks be to God, we did.
On his own achievement of adding a ninth managerial title to the four he won as a player, Cody admitted it is "hard to imagine that all those things have happened for us", adding: "Ive been part of a terrific set-up for those victories. I'm doing my job, everybody else is doing his job. I get a lot of attention because I'm the manager but so much comes into it from so many people and if there was one weak link in the whole chain, we would be in trouble, be that off the field or on the field. Thanks be to God, that set up is outstanding.
"We should celebrate this and we'll see where we go after that. For the players, the determination to keep going has to be there and I'm sure it will be."