Buckley and Coen concentrating fully on their next assignment

Kilkenny v Galway:THE IMAGE of an animated Brian Cody resonates from last Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final. Michael Rice had just been injured in a tussle for possession with Pádraic Maher right under the Kilkenny manager's peaked cap, in the shade of the Hogan stand.

Rice was immediately away down the tunnel for treatment on an injury that is unlikely to heal by September 9th. As the paper slip was being scribbled, referee Cathal McAllister allowed Tipperary to take their sideline cut.

Many a Kilkenny voice felt it should have been a free in the other direction – as did Cody – but he reacted quicker than anyone. Refusing to allow Tipp a numerical advantage, he literally shoved Cillian Buckley into the fray.

“I got my warm-up running down the steps of the Hogan,” said the 20-year-old.

No time to think, the Dicksboro lad charged into the cauldron to hurl alongside his boyhood heroes. He looked and performed like the rest of them.

“We have to be prepared, there are no excuses. I was as ready as well as anyone else was I suppose.”

Spoken like a man who has had Cody’s voice ringing in his ears these past few months.

Buckley is the only under-21 in contention to start the final against Galway. And those odds have narrowed considerably considering Rice had surgery on his hand yesterday.

“It’s hugely unfortunate for Michael Rice, he’s a huge leader in our team. Whatever part he plays in the All-Ireland final, whether it be on the pitch or as a true leader in the dressing-room, you can be sure he will be there for us.”

The silver lining is it opens the door for the 2010 All-Ireland-winning minor captain to start the senior decider.

“That’s the way myself and others on the panel have to view it as well as Richie Hogan coming back into the frame. There were a good few subs brought on against Tipperary. It does open up a gap if things are to turn out bad for Michael Rice so we have to take on the challenge and train for the next few weeks.”

Does having the biggest game of his life on the horizon make him worry about getting injured in tomorrow All-Ireland under-21 semi-final against Galway?

“No, no, going out to a match and trying to prevent yourself from getting injured you are starting off on the wrong slate altogether,” said the engineering student. “I will treat this as an important a match as I will play all year and it is. When we started off the Leinster campaign we were going to have another shot at the Galway under-21s who actually beat us three years ago in the 2009 All-Ireland minor final so this group of players really has something to stand up for.”

Galway wing back Johnny Coen finds himself in the same boat as Buckley in that he is expected to feature in both matches. He too remembers previous underage encounters.

“Yeah, in 2009 we got the better of them in a tight final but the following year Kilkenny really wiped Galway off the park – Cillian’s year,” said Coen. “We’re under no illusions about the huge task ahead of us.

“Kilkenny being Kilkenny you can never underestimate them, the kingpins of hurling. We’re under no illusions, there’s a huge task ahead of us. Come Saturday form will go out the window, it will be every man for himself.”