Cody expected to stay but may change Kilkenny set-up

The Kilkenny County Board are now confident that Brian Cody will remain on as senior hurling manager for another year. Formal ratification of next year's management teams will take place next Monday night and Cody's return now appears a formality.

It had been suggested that Cody was awaiting the outcome of Sunday's Kilkenny hurling final, won by his own club James Stephens, before committing for another year. According to Kilkenny secretary Pat Dunphy, the matter is now ready for conclusion.

"We do expect to have names to be ratified at next Monday's meeting," said Dunphy. "There has been all sorts of speculation going around, but we've heard nothing otherwise as of yet.

"And I would think now that Brian would stay on. But there is the possibility that he will bring new people on board."

One element of next year's Kilkenny hurling team that is certain is the captaincy, which is now destined for centre back Peter Barry. He captained James Stephens to Sunday's one-point win over Young Irelands and would be the unanimous choice for the county captaincy as is the right of the reigning Kilkenny champions.

Already a three-time All Star and All-Ireland winner, Barry is the only James Stephens player to hold down a regular starting place on the Kilkenny senior team.

James Stephens, meanwhile, are straight into the Leinster club championship this Saturday when they meet Meath champions Kilmessan at Páirc Tailteann, Navan.

New Cork champions Na Piarsaigh, who also collected their title on Sunday, get only a day extra breathing space as they are out next Sunday to face Tipperary champions Toomevara at Semple Stadium - the prize being a place in the Munster club hurling final.

Na Piarsaigh manager Joe O'Leary will this time have to do without the services of Setanta Ó hAilpín, who yesterday returned to Australia to begin his pre-season training with the AFL team Carlton Blues. It will be Ó hAilpín's second season with the Australian Rules club.

Although Na Piarsaigh proved comfortable winners over Cloyne, the second eldest of the three Ó hAilpín brothers playing didn't quite exert his expected influence on the game.

The second Munster hurling semi-final also takes place on Sunday, and not on Saturday as publicised in some quarters. It involves Waterford champions Mount Sion on home turf in Walsh Park against new Clare champions Kilmaley.

The football champions of Waterford are also in action, with Stradbally - winners over The Nire after a replay last weekend - taking on Tipperary champions Loughmore-Castleiney at Dungarvan on Sunday afternoon. Bishopstown of Cork await the winners in the Munster semi-final.

The Kerry football final - the only other outstanding county decider - also takes place on Sunday when Laune Rangers meet South Kerry. The winners progress to meet Clare champions Kilmurry-Ibrickane in the other Munster semi-final on Sunday week.

In Leinster, meanwhile, the football quarter-final involving Dublin champions Kilmacud Crokes has been put back a week. Originally scheduled for this Sunday, it will now take place on Sunday week to allow for the conclusion of the Westmeath championship.

That county final takes place this Sunday involving Garrycastle and Castledaly - a repeat of the 2002 decider.

The three other quarter-finals go ahead on Sunday as scheduled: Rhode of Offaly against Portlaoise, Carlow's Rathvilly against Wexford team Starlights, and Allenwood of Kildare against Meath champions Skryne.

Finally, TG4 have announced that Sunday's GAA BEO will feature the Ulster club quarter-final between Donegal champions Ardara and Down champions Mayobridge, live from Ballybofey.