Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2015 10:01:25 GMT
Martin Brenheny
When, in early 2006, DJ Carey told Brian Cody that he was about to retire, the response was: "Are you sure?"
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It was what Carey had expected.
"He asked me was I sure and I said I was. He put no pressure on me to stay around but I have no doubt he would be happy if I had," recalled Carey.
"He might have wanted me to play a different role, maybe coming on as a sub from time to time, but I had no interest in that.
"He didn't say that's what he had in mind, by the way. He just listened to me and left it at that."
Last month, Cody gave an insight into his approach to players who feel their time is up.
Speaking after JJ Delaney became the fifth Kilkenny star name to announce his retirement since the All-Ireland final, he said that he would never attempt to influence a player's decision.
"I never reason with them because they have reasoned it out in their own heads. It's a player's absolute right to make that decision and I would never try and influence them," he said.
"I would always say 'look, it is your decision and if that's exactly what you want,' I wouldn't try and change their minds because they have obviously agonised over that decision."
DISCUSSION
Presumably, at some stage over the next few days, Cody will have an interesting discussion with Henry Shefflin.
Ballyhale Shamrocks' latest club adventure has ended successfully so their top names are ready to rejoin the county panel.
Question is: how many? Colin and Michael Fennelly, TJ Reid and Joey Holden are certainties, leaving Shefflin as the only doubt.
He appeared to be uncertain after Tuesday's club final win, reflecting on how the departure of some former colleagues sparked "will I go?" sentiments, only for some match or other to prompt 'will I stay?" thoughts.
That's what makes his chat with Cody so interesting. If Shefflin wants to stay aboard for a 17th season, he will be welcomed back.
But if he's looking for guidance or even an inkling of where he will rank in the pecking order, it won't be forthcoming.
There are no guarantees in the Kilkenny dressing-room, even for legends.
"Nobody owns a Kilkenny jersey. You have it because you're the best qualified to wear it at a particular time, but the jersey will outlast every player so the important thing is to make the most of the opportunity while you can," wrote Cody in 2009.
It's safe to say his views have not altered since then. Shefflin had to deal with changed circumstances last year when, for the first time since setting out as a senior in 1999 (it was also Cody's first season), he had to be satisfied with a jersey numbered higher than 15.
Nor was he always first choice when a starting forward was replaced. Tommy Walsh and Aidan Fogarty were brought in ahead of him against Galway in the drawn Leinster semi-final; John Power was first in during the replay; Aidan Fogarty got first call in the drawn All-Ireland final.
Shefflin was first sub against Dublin (Leinster final), against Limerick (All-Ireland semi-final) and against Tipperary (All-Ireland final replay).
If those were his mixed experiences last year, the only way he could hope to make the starting team this season is by playing better. At the age of 36, that's quite a challenge.
Cody would be reluctant to start Shefflin and risk having to replace him because of the psychological uplift on offer to the opposition, as was seen in 2010 when he was forced out with a knee injury during the first half of the All-Ireland final clash with Tipperary.
So if Shefflin is to continue, it will be as a squad player, perhaps even drifting back on last season. Would he be happy with that?
Last year was different because he was recovering from injury in the first half of the year, leaving him with ground to make up. This time, he appears to be fully fit and might find it much more frustrating if forced to spend long stretches on the bench.
There's an argument that the departure of so much experience from the Kilkenny squad increases Shefflin's importance in the dressing-room, but it's difficult to see how he could be happy playing the father-figure role while seeing limited action.
Shefflin's decision will come at a time when Kilkenny are at their lowest league ebb since he and Cody started out together in 16 years ago.
Still, it's scarcely a crisis, since the slump was, to a large degree, caused by the absence of the Ballyhale players, plus some other absentees.
REASSURING
Kilkenny supporters would love to see Shefflin continue as there's something reassuring about having him aboard, even as a sub. In reality though, it's not that simple.
Having won another All-Ireland medal on Tuesday, Shefflin has to weigh up whether he wants to test himself all over again in an ever more demanding environment.
If he asks Cody the straight-forward question as to whether he should continue, it won't be answered. For, while Cody's respect for Shefflin is unwavering, advising him on his future is not on the agenda, just as it hasn't been for anybody else.
My hunch is that when the discussion is over and Shefflin takes a cold look at the options, he will depart the inter-county scene.
Irish Independent
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GO TO
It was what Carey had expected.
"He asked me was I sure and I said I was. He put no pressure on me to stay around but I have no doubt he would be happy if I had," recalled Carey.
"He might have wanted me to play a different role, maybe coming on as a sub from time to time, but I had no interest in that.
"He didn't say that's what he had in mind, by the way. He just listened to me and left it at that."
Last month, Cody gave an insight into his approach to players who feel their time is up.
Speaking after JJ Delaney became the fifth Kilkenny star name to announce his retirement since the All-Ireland final, he said that he would never attempt to influence a player's decision.
"I never reason with them because they have reasoned it out in their own heads. It's a player's absolute right to make that decision and I would never try and influence them," he said.
"I would always say 'look, it is your decision and if that's exactly what you want,' I wouldn't try and change their minds because they have obviously agonised over that decision."
DISCUSSION
Presumably, at some stage over the next few days, Cody will have an interesting discussion with Henry Shefflin.
Ballyhale Shamrocks' latest club adventure has ended successfully so their top names are ready to rejoin the county panel.
Question is: how many? Colin and Michael Fennelly, TJ Reid and Joey Holden are certainties, leaving Shefflin as the only doubt.
He appeared to be uncertain after Tuesday's club final win, reflecting on how the departure of some former colleagues sparked "will I go?" sentiments, only for some match or other to prompt 'will I stay?" thoughts.
That's what makes his chat with Cody so interesting. If Shefflin wants to stay aboard for a 17th season, he will be welcomed back.
But if he's looking for guidance or even an inkling of where he will rank in the pecking order, it won't be forthcoming.
There are no guarantees in the Kilkenny dressing-room, even for legends.
"Nobody owns a Kilkenny jersey. You have it because you're the best qualified to wear it at a particular time, but the jersey will outlast every player so the important thing is to make the most of the opportunity while you can," wrote Cody in 2009.
It's safe to say his views have not altered since then. Shefflin had to deal with changed circumstances last year when, for the first time since setting out as a senior in 1999 (it was also Cody's first season), he had to be satisfied with a jersey numbered higher than 15.
Nor was he always first choice when a starting forward was replaced. Tommy Walsh and Aidan Fogarty were brought in ahead of him against Galway in the drawn Leinster semi-final; John Power was first in during the replay; Aidan Fogarty got first call in the drawn All-Ireland final.
Shefflin was first sub against Dublin (Leinster final), against Limerick (All-Ireland semi-final) and against Tipperary (All-Ireland final replay).
If those were his mixed experiences last year, the only way he could hope to make the starting team this season is by playing better. At the age of 36, that's quite a challenge.
Cody would be reluctant to start Shefflin and risk having to replace him because of the psychological uplift on offer to the opposition, as was seen in 2010 when he was forced out with a knee injury during the first half of the All-Ireland final clash with Tipperary.
So if Shefflin is to continue, it will be as a squad player, perhaps even drifting back on last season. Would he be happy with that?
Last year was different because he was recovering from injury in the first half of the year, leaving him with ground to make up. This time, he appears to be fully fit and might find it much more frustrating if forced to spend long stretches on the bench.
There's an argument that the departure of so much experience from the Kilkenny squad increases Shefflin's importance in the dressing-room, but it's difficult to see how he could be happy playing the father-figure role while seeing limited action.
Shefflin's decision will come at a time when Kilkenny are at their lowest league ebb since he and Cody started out together in 16 years ago.
Still, it's scarcely a crisis, since the slump was, to a large degree, caused by the absence of the Ballyhale players, plus some other absentees.
REASSURING
Kilkenny supporters would love to see Shefflin continue as there's something reassuring about having him aboard, even as a sub. In reality though, it's not that simple.
Having won another All-Ireland medal on Tuesday, Shefflin has to weigh up whether he wants to test himself all over again in an ever more demanding environment.
If he asks Cody the straight-forward question as to whether he should continue, it won't be answered. For, while Cody's respect for Shefflin is unwavering, advising him on his future is not on the agenda, just as it hasn't been for anybody else.
My hunch is that when the discussion is over and Shefflin takes a cold look at the options, he will depart the inter-county scene.
Irish Independent
