Goalscorer Eoin Cody hails panel strength in latest Ballyhale success

There has been a lot of talk in recent years about the lack of depth in the Shamrocks ranks but that got turned on its head last Sunday as they used a full complement of subs on their way to championship glory.

It was a fact not lost on Eoin Cody who knows more than most what they have been through the last few years.

“It’s brilliant for the club and two years ago we were probably in the dressing rooms at this stage hands in our heads looking down at the ground wondering where it all went wrong and we brought on no subs.

“Today we brought on five subs and showed that we have a strong panel and you see that with the score we put up.

“It was a great performance and you can even see with the players on the field, everyone is just soaking it in before going inside and we know it will be a magical week.”

Eoin’s own brother Brian has returned from his travels and along with the likes of Joey Holden and Ronan Corcoran, it’s that type of depth that has added to the Shamrocks cause this year.

“In the final two years ago, we were without four or five lads who were off travelling but we got Joey Holden, Ronan Corcoran and Brian Cody all back and for a club likes ours, that’s absolutely huge,” Cody added.

“In fairness to the lads like Liam Barron, Stephen Barron, John Fitzpatrick and Conor Walsh they’ve all put in a serious effort and hung around and put in huge work the last few weeks and with us Kilkenny lads coming back in, it’s great to see that type of effort behind closed doors and they’ve drove the panel on really.”

Cody’s goal at the start of the second half turned the game in his side’s favour and he cites the huge work all over the field as a big factor on the win.

“The way things went, we played Thomastown in the quarter-final and it all started there as we became more physical and showed a huge intensity to overturn them.

“The semi-final wasn’t as good against Dicksboro as after the red card we kind of stood off them and allowed them to play which is the opposite of what we stand for so barely getting over the line was probably the best thing going into the final as we knew what we had to bring and go back to basics.

“We had to bring that fight today and we did from the very start with Paddy Mullen, Adrian Mullen and Darragh Corcoran all making a mark before Niall Shortall got that little flick for the goal.

“I probably let myself down as I left 1-4 or 1-5 behind me in the first half and nobody really got onto me even though I deserved a word or two but everyone was just telling me to go again and kept believing in me. Once the chance came along, I had to put it away and I was just delighted to do it for the team.”