"No manager has remotely got any magic formula or magic touch," says Kilkenny hurling supremo Brian Cody. "You are totally dependent on the players you've got."

Few managers, however, attain the levels of success that Cody has. In a few months in his new role he has brought Kilkenny into the National League semi-finals.

"I just ask the players to do a few different things and they are doing it. I am lucky to have such a committed bunch of players," he says.

"Basically," he continues, "I am dealing with good hurlers, talented hurlers and at the end of the day I haven't done anything in particular at all. The way the team is performing is really down to the players. I am not claiming any credit, but I am really enjoying the job."

Cody's credentials as a player and his cool, balanced persona convinced the Kilkenny county board that he was the man to succeed Kevin Fennelly as team manager.

Cody figured on four teams which won All-Ireland senior titles, forever cast in the role of the cool and studious defender, and he picked up two All Star awards besides honours at minor and club level.

It would seem that he has also picked up the correct managerial techniques from great Kilkenny managers whom he served under, not least Father Tommy Maher and Pat Henderson. But Cody dismisses the theory that you consciously pick up any major ideas or base your style as a manager on any particular individual.

"You just be what you are, be yourself and be honest about things.

"It's a lot different being a manager, but the most enjoyable part for all people is the playing part of the game. At the end of the day you can only do that for a short space of time, although when you're playing you think it will be forever. Then you get the chance of being involved in the game you love and when the opportunity came round for me I was delighted."

Has he any fears of possible burn-out resulting from intense league competition on the doorstep of the championship? "I don't worry about things like that, the more competition you get the greater confidence your team acquires."

He adds: "Even if we were to get to a league final on the 16th of May, it would still be five weeks before our championship first-round game against Laois. I don't see any problem here in the slightest. I don't see where going to the last match in the league would have any adverse effect on our championship chances.

"The pluses to be gained from doing well far outweigh any other consideration. The lads want hurling and they are totally committed to winning their matches.

"The players are very keen, they are putting a lot of effort into their matches, they are hunting and chasing and as I see it at the moment there are over 20 players looking for 15 places. I am really very pleased. There is nothing like winning."

Meanwhile, Wexford manager Rory Kinsella gives a call-up to Colm Kehoe for Sunday's league tie with Cork in Gorey. This means that there is one change on the side that lost out in a thriller to Kilkenny last Sunday.

Kehoe was dropped after the match against Tipperary. His recall means a reshuffle, with Larry O'Gorman moving from right corner back to right wing back to accommodate Kehoe. Declan Ruth drops to the substitutes' bench.

Offaly will field an experimental team for Sunday's league tie with Kerry in Tralee. Simon Whelahan and Billy Dooley are suspended.

OFFALY (SH v Kerry): O Kennedy; M Rigney, K Kinahan, C Murphy; W Comerford, N Claffey, Barry Whelahan; G Hanniffy, G Oakley; E Martin, D Regan, C Cassidy; J Troy, J Errity, N Murphy.

WEXFORD (SH v Cork): D Fitzhenry; C Kehoe, G Cushe, E Furlong; L O'Gorman, L Dunne, R Guiney; A Fenlon, R Quigley; L Murphy, M Storey, P Codd; T Dempsey, G Laffan, C McGrath.