Epic rivalry that is full of mutual respect

THEY FIRST met as minors way back when. In 1971 Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s Cork beat Brian Cody’s Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. Twelve months on and Cody captained Kilkenny to a revenge victory.

And so began an epic rivalry, carried through their playing days and into management, dormant since 2000 until Cork inched past Kilkenny in this year’s league fixture.

Sunday renews the duel once again with the Division 1A title on the line. A deep rooted respect has developed between the giants of their respective hurling strongholds but surely Cody never thought Cork would unleash JBM on him again. “I never came up against him in football!”

That at least ensures equality in their playing days as they share 10 All-Ireland senior hurling medals (JBM has six, including his one in football) but it was that first season as Kilkenny manager that still hurts the most. It was the summer JBM’s young Cork team shocked the hurling landscape.

“Our careers have had parallels,” Cody admitted. “1999 and he’s back again to haunt me again. He’s just a really sound fella. A fella you would always be happy to meet anywhere and bump into. He’s straight forward and genuine. He’s a manager that everyone in Cork is very, very happy with.”

Of course, Barry-Murphy stepped off the the hamster’s wheel in 2000, just as the most glorious managerial reign in hurling history was gaining momentum.

“It just seems crazy that it is that many years ago,” said Cody. “A lot has happened since. The years have passed by quickly. I don’t know what Jimmy came back for after all those years!”

Neither does the Cork man: “It’s amazing, our whole careers coincided – minor, under-21, senior, with Kilkenny and Cork, and coaching as well. It’s extraordinary how long Brian has been there. I mean, I opted out for 11 years and he’s still there when I come back. Now, I didn’t envisage this situation ever arising again, so it’s ironic really.”

It fitted neatly to make Donal Óg Cusack Cork captain as the goalkeeper and Seán Óg Ó hAilpín were the only survivors from the 1999 side.

But when Donal Óg’s Achilles ruptured in the semi-final defeat of Tipperary, any idea of a fairytale return was shelved. “Given the figure he is in the dressingroom, the players all look up to him as their leader anyway. So we felt it was the obvious thing to do to make him captain. I’m bitterly disappointed for him on a personal level because in the few months he’s been there he’s been phenomenal and a great captain, a great speaker. So it’s bitterly disappointing from his point of view but look we’ve got to get up and get on with it.”

Patrick Horgan has taken on the role. It should still be seen as a period of transition, but that is not part of the Cork mentality. Their great leader has returned so they expect results. So far so good.

“We’re going up there on Sunday to give it a right go, and to find out exactly where we stand with Kilkenny – because I think they are the benchmark and that’s what we want to find out.”

He is surprised to see the elder statesmen and young rebels combine so seamlessly. “I have to be honest and say that, yeah, definitely. When we started off in the league I didn’t know how the older players were going to perform and I certainly didn’t know how the younger players coming in – whether they’d up to this level so soon. So it’s been a bit of a roller coaster from that point of view.

“Our first step was to avoid relegation because no new management team wants to get relegated in their first year and you saw with Dublin that it’s a distinct possibility because of the nature of the league and the way it was structured.

“So it was a fantastic league from many points of view with the games so competitive. It would be beyond our expectations to be in the final and we’re absolutely thrilled but I suppose when you get to the latter stages, we saw the opportunity and we’ve really gone for it I think.”