For the 16th time, Brian Cody is preparing for an All-Ireland final after guiding Kilkenny to the decider with a one-point win over Limerick in Croke Park yesterday.
In what was Brian Cody's 100th championship game as Cats manager, no one fancied Kilkenny heading into it. This is remarkable when you consider his achievements and medal haul.
In the build-up, Limerick boss John Kiely praised his counterpart saying his record of 11 All-Ireland's would never be surpassed, by any manager.
This season has to be one of Cody's greatest achievements as injury blows and changes in personnel mean that Cody no longer has the talent he once had to call upon.
Cody's delight at being back in the final day was clear as he spoke to Off The Ball's Maire Treasa Ni Cheallaigh at full-time.
"Very happy, for certain. The prize for today is massive, the prize is you're in the All-Ireland final and that's the aspiration for every team starting off the Championship.
"Certainly, we were not fancied by anybody really to get this far but we're there and we're very, very happy."
And with that, Kilkenny's All-Ireland final famine is over. Natual order has been restored and for the first time in three years, they're back in the decider. Three years may not seem like long to many but one has to remember that Cody featured in 10 out of 11 finals between 2006 and 2016.
"We haven't been there for a few years perhaps but the team has shown terrific character and honesty and genuineness in spirit and obviously skill as well to get here, we were taking on the outstanding team in the country for the last 12 months and we came out on top."
It's hard to imagine hurling without Brian Cody at this stage. For the past 20 years, he has been the most influential figure in the game. He has to retire eventually though and when the time does come he will only be celebrated. Years of famine, slip-ups or lack of success will not be talked about.
In the last couple of years, attention has been shifting towards who will be his successor. With Henry Sheflin's retirement from playing and management success with Ballyhale Shamrocks, many thought it was time for the obvious appointment to be made. Then Eddie Brennan's recent fairytale summer with Laois led to talk of a contest for the top job.
Perhaps Cody sensed this and knew that some felt his time was coming to an end. If so, yesterday was a perfect answer to these doubts and in his post-match interview, his sense of relief highlighted that he had a lot personally riding on this.
"When the game is going on in front of you, it's up and down the field; anything can happen. How do you feel when the final whistle blows? Of course, it's relief absolutely no shadow of a doubt."
You'd wonder is Cody still enjoying it? During these last few years of battling with himself, with his record and with anyone doubting him, what's left in it for him? He touched on enjoyment after the full-time whistle.
"It's there straight away as well, but look, there's no cups going today. The prize of the journey was to get to the final, now we're in the final and there's a huge challenge awaiting us there.
Perhaps if it's not for the joy he's doing it but rather he just needs to feed his insatiable hunger, which clearly remains in spades.
Kilkenny will face the winner of Tipperary and Wexford in the All-Ireland Final on the 18 August.
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