Special win for Cody’s Cats
 Anyone doubting
the hunger of Cork or Kilkenny got their answer at the final whistle.
The desolation carved on the faces of the Cork players contrasting with
the jubilation of the Black Cats stars.
Kilkenny manager Brian Cody has known many days like this both as player
and manager but his expression at the end was like that of a child contemplating
his first bicycle.
He said: “The feeling at the final whistle is what it’s all
about. It’s still there and it’ll be there for a while. It’s
been a brilliant year.
“For certain we would not have been scripted to do this at the start
of the year or the middle of the year or three quarters of the way through
the year according to many people.
“It was incredible. The hunger to win All-Ireland medals was the
be-all and the end-all for every player — the All-Ireland final
and the McCarthy Cup.”
Henry Shefflin emerged from a huddle of young supporters to say that:
“All the work of this year comes down to this moment. The players
mentors, supporters, everyone has been living for this moment. The feeling
seems to get better every time you climb the steps as an All-Ireland winner
no amount of money could equal this moment.”
Cork manager John Allen was gracious in defeat saying the better team
won and paying tribute to his players he said: “This is a very special
Cork team — the desire, the hard work they put in is unbelievable.
There wasn’t much in it on the day and these players will be back
but this is Kilkenny’s day and fair play to them. They are worthy
champions.”
Vanquished Cork captain Sean Og OhAilpin acknowledged that the almost
feral hunger of the Kilkenny players was decisive on the day.
He said: “You could see it in their eyes. They were reminiscent
of us two years ago. They wanted to stop us getting three All-Irelands
in a row as we had stopped them.
“You often get the breaks when you’re the hungrier team. They
got them on Sunday. Saying that they deserved to win, Kilkenny are worthy
champions. But we’ll be back next year trying to stop them.”
As their team bus departed up Jones’ Road on Sunday night Cork were
left contemplating the end of their three-in-a-row dream while Kilkenny
can relish having regained their place at the top of the hurling pile
after a performance which showed they can mix the physical and magical
aspects of the game of hurling in equal measure.
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