Brian Cody has hailed the immense contribution of several recently retired Kilkenny hurlers, notably proclaiming JJ Delaney as the best defender he has ever seen.
The Cats boss admitted he was somewhat surprised by the Fenians clubman’s decision to walk away but said he did not attempt to talk him around.
“I was surprised, yeah, a bit, but not massively either," Cody told the Irish Examiner. "You never know what players will decide. To the very last ball that he pucked, he just was on top of his game.
“I never reason with them because they have reasoned it out in their own heads. It’s a players absolute right to be able to make that decision and I could never try and influence them.
“He was injured for the 2006 All-Ireland final, just a short time before the final, and I said at the time that I had never seen a better defender. And I haven’t seen anything to change my mind since.”
Cody's tribute offered us the opportunity to role out this recent classic:
Wouldn't catch to many high balls off this man!! #vandersar #legend pic.twitter.com/5ilT1GLwYG
— JJ Delaney (@jjdel82) December 30, 2014
But the James Stephens man also discussed other recently retired Kilkenny hurling legends in Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, Aidan Fogarty and David Herity.
Cody mused: “Of course I could talk about Tommy and have said many times before that, to me, Tommy was the game of hurling and nobody epitomises it to me more than Tommy Walsh ever did, just outstanding in every aspect.
“Brian Hogan gave massive service as a centre-back and was the top centre-back in the game for a number of years definitely.
He added: "There was outstanding service from Aidan Fogarty for many years and was man of the match in the 2006 All-Ireland final, gave great service and his work-rate around the field at all times, gave terrific service and David Herity as a goalkeeper as well gave terrific service.”
Everyone else back in the changing rooms but @ShefflinHenry still on pitch signing autographs #TheToughest #legend pic.twitter.com/fDd1MYYjpX
— AIB_GAA (@AIB_GAA) February 7, 2015
The Kilkenny stalwart also insisted there was “no question mark” about Henry Shefflin’s future. “Henry will decide," he said.
"Henry is on record saying that, obviously it is a much-asked question, but not a question I am going to answer or can answer."
"Henry has a complete focus, as he proved last weekend, on St Patrick’s Day.”
You can read and hear what King Henry had to say on Saturday after Ballyhale Shamrocks progressed to the All-Ireland club hurling final here.
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