Kilkenny boss Brian Cody content with Laois win but focus now on Dublin

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody saw his team return to winning ways last weekend and he was relatively pleased in how they performed in the 2-28 to 0-17 win over Laois.
When quizzed about the game afterwards, he summarised how things unfolded.

“We played against the wind in the first half. We were four points up at half-time.

“We did well to be four points up because we weren’t particularly flowing in that half. In the second half we won it well.

“The two goals were crucial. They were two very good goals from Tom Phelan. The second one gave us breathing space and we moved on from there.”

Cody has given a number of players a chance to stake their claim for the upcoming Championship and he is happy with how they are progressing thus far.

“That is what we are hoping for. That is part and parcel of life in the League.

“We want to make things as competitive as possible and have a competitive panel. We will see where we go after that.

“Winning is a confidence builder for the squad, especially the new players. Some of the players are putting their hand up for places on the team and that is good,” Cody added.

With Padraig Walsh and Huw Lawlor unavailable for the win, the Kilkenny casualty list seems to be increasing by the week after Conor Delaney and Evan Cody previously got injured and it’s not ideal for the Cats with the manager aiming to finalise his squad over the next few weeks.

“It is very difficult to have a settled team when players are injured and that. But that is part and parcel of the game.

“We will be trying to piece the thing together very soon.

“The injured players get no time at all to recover. We are playing next Saturday and a couple of guys pulled up today with injuries so the chances of those players being available is almost nil,” Cody added.

That game on Saturday is a trip to an unbeaten Dublin side who look to be in pole position to secure a league semi-final place and Cody knows it will be a big test for his side.

“Dublin are gone well beyond that stage of being a threat in Parnell Park. They are a threat everywhere as they proved against Tipperary.

“That is going to be a very, very serious game.

“We face them in the championship as well, so it is a very serious game for sure.

“We will prepare for Dublin. It is a great game to have as part of our preparation for the whole thing.

“We have the desire to keep going and stay alive in the League.”

The Kilkenny boss also hinted that a few of the Shamrocks players may well be line for a return on Saturday including newly appointed captain Richie Reid, but with brother TJ still on honeymoon it appears as if the 34 year old may not be risked until the start of the Leinster Championship next month.