Old foes relaxed as build-up begins reports

GAELIC GAMES CHAMPIONSHIP 2008 NEWS:OKAY, WE'VE just emerged from an audience with two of the shrewdest hurling brains ever to prowl the sideline. So what have we learned?

For starters, Gerald McCarthy reveals more about the internal workings of the Cork panel than Brian Cody, who is perhaps over the whole media game after an uninterrupted 10 seasons when he repeatedly finds himself in the quagmire of defending the merits of Leinster hurling.

Since losing to a resurgent Tipperary on June 8th, Cork's hurlers have attempted to write a decent last chapter in a remarkable story that dates back to 1999. Epic comebacks against Galway and Clare bring us to the present juncture.

Cork versus Kilkenny. The counties have shared the last six All-Ireland titles. Quite simply, it doesn't get any bigger than this meeting.

Until recently, Cork showed clear signs of ageing and McCarthy admits he was unsure what was left in the tank when he replaced John Allen after the 2006 campaign. Last year hardly inspired confidence and it was clear he was charged with gradually altering the team make-up.

"I wouldn't say (careers) were on the line but it was being questioned whether the players still had the stomach for tough championship hurling.

"When they lost that major game to Kilkenny, when they were going for three-in-a-row (2006 All-Ireland final), when you don't achieve an objective like that, it leaves a mark on players. That was a main worry of mine coming into it; how hungry the players would be to carry on. I think they have answered that very, very much this year."

McCarthy made a brave decision on Tuesday night to select the same team that struggled against both Clare and Galway before John Gardiner was switched to fullback and Diarmuid O'Sullivan called ashore. Talented forwards like Neil Ronan are held in reserve as loyalty is shown to the long serving Rock of Cloyne.

"It's understandable that there would be a lot of comments about Diarmuid because, as you say, he was taken off in the previous two games," admitted McCarthy. "From our point of view it wasn't that difficult with Diarmuid. Every player that has ever played hurling at the highest level knows you go through a little period where you are not playing at your best. That doesn't mean that you have become a bad player. You work your way out of it and we have the confidence Diarmuid can do that."

Over to Cody. Offaly and Wexford were dismissed by a combined winning margin of 37 points earlier this summer. Dress it up any way you like but the serious hurling for Kilkenny only begins this Sunday.

"It is an insult to Offaly and Wexford every year the way they are spoken about, and Dublin as well," goes the understandable Cody mantra.

"Limerick were in the All-Ireland final last year and Offaly beat them comprehensively this year. The people who have been writing off the Leinster teams haven't come out and given them due credit for that either. The same with Wexford against Waterford and Dublin against Wexford as well. Laois are working away. There was a great Christy Ring final last weekend with Carlow and Westmeath. There is an awful lot going on there that is not being recognised fairly."

Fine, but do 18 and 19-point winning margins over decent teams mean Kilkenny are simply miles ahead of the rest? "It doesn't mean that at all," Cody counters. "It means on the day that's what happened. That's the game of hurling and that is what it is about. Every game takes on a life of its own. Those results did take place but they don't mean we are streets ahead. If we hadn't been absolutely ready for those two games we would've been beaten.

"All I'm saying is Wexford and Offaly are healthy opposition for anybody and if you fail to prepare for them you will be in serious trouble."

After annoying Cody with repeated questions about the standards of provincial opposition Kilkenny have consistently dismissed these past few seasons we ask whether it would be beneficial to Kilkenny hurling by bringing Galway and Antrim into Leinster.

"To be honest, we are not looking for help," he responds.

That's certainly true. But what about yourself, Brian? Ten seasons at it now, how do you keep the motivation up, what with the stress of moulding arguably the greatest panel of hurlers to ever grace the game?

"This time of the year - hurling through the summer - sure, there is nothing like it. Being part and parcel of the build-up to this All- Ireland semi-final is what it is all about really. I'm always saying there is no hardship in it.

"A lot is made nowadays about huge sacrifices and that it is a massive problem for fellas playing intercounty hurling but I don't see it that way at all. I think the players love what they are doing. I love doing what I'm doing and I'm sure Gerald does as well.

"Everybody involved in around the whole intercounty scene are having a good time. It is what we want to be doing."