Kilkenny GAA Thread

Realt Dearg Sec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123645042#Comment_123645042

Didn't Carter say in his autobiography that after some incident or other he laid out his jersey on the floor of the dressing room and walked out? It's many years since I read it. It always seemed like the Carter incident was Cody stamping his authority on the team. Always wondered if DJ had stood in solidarity with Carter how would Cody have fared then? Anyway that stuff is ancient history and if Cody is skipping it over stuff like that he's going to be missing a lot of these jubilee team events in the next few years. What was all the success together for if you can't even enjoy a moment like that with the people who achieved it?

At the time of the shefflin stuff I could see why you might not be happy a lad left to manage a rival team, but not shaking his hand was just childish stuff in fairness.

Shirleysrumbler

There's a bigger picture here. The 2000 team wasn't exactly Cody's favourite by all accounts. He indulged a few of them for 2001 season & they let him down when Galway bullied them in that year's semi. He took an axe to that team.Charlie & Tots were among the casualties. TBH I think neither had the kind of "Grit" Cody wanted. He got a few runs out of Charlie in 02 & most memorably the league final V Tipp in 03. However at 32 Charlie was on borrowed time by then. The 03 team was cast in Cody's mould & came unstuck in 04 due to lack of talent when Charlie might might have had something to offer as a sub maybe. Remember by O3 as an 88 minor Carter had seen players from 90/91(Larkin), 93 Byrne gone & even Dougal & Richie Mullally from Henry's vintage nearing their end.

Senditinlow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123645609#Comment_123645609

Henry had lost his brother Paul only a few months earlier. The treatment from Cody in those circumstances was unforgivable in my eyes. That's my take on it anyway. Cody let himself down badly that day

Billy Ocean

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123646512#Comment_123646512

I couldn't agree more with this, from memory Paul had only passed away 6 weeks or 2 months prior to that incident, something that puts hurling and sport in perspective. Also DJ has no business been in Croke Park on Sunday for obvious reasons.

JanuarySnowstor

I've 2 tickets for the Ireland vSouth Africa rugby match in November looking to swap for 2 hurling. Rugby game also sellout

Nickindublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123645609#Comment_123645609

I dont see anything wrong with anyone going to another county whether that be Tipp Cork Kildare etc.

I would have a problem re Shefflin if its true that Cody offered him a position and he turned it down and then goes to Galway. Especially if he didnt let Cody know what his plans were.

IMO and i think a lot of people can see it. Its jobs for the boys at KK inter county level. So you cant blame guys taking positions up at other counties

Nickindublin

He certainly wouldnt have lasted as long as he did in the job without Shefflin. Shefflin was to Cody what Pele was to Brazil.

AhBoyDelaney

Handshake - Not sure what the fuss is here. Cody did shake hands in Galway with Henry. It was cold but they did shake hands and they also did in Croke Park after Leinster final the same year. You have to remember that Henry was with another county then and In my humble opinion if he was asked into KK setup and said NO for whatever reasons going to a county like Galway was always going to stir ****. He is entitled to go where he wants but there was always going to be people in KK who would not be happy with that. A lot of supporters were disappointed he went there. I don’t believe that BC did anything wrong. He always did what was right for KK hurling and saved the county board a fortune in doing it. Kilkenny Abu but we need a complete review of the county board and every management team from u14 to Senior. Otherwise the mess we are in now will continue for many years.

Lap of Laois

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123647166#Comment_123647166

This…. Amazing the amount of people saying Cody didn’t shake Shefflins hand, he absolutely did, as you say it wasn’t a warm friendly handshake but let’s stick to the facts , the man shook his hand after every one of their meetings.

I think it’s a bit disingenuous to bring his brother’s death (RIP) into it as nobody here knows how Cody reacted to that privately and has nothing to do with their subsequent relationship on the sidelines.

Nickindublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123647166#Comment_123647166

Cody was a true KK man. KK first and eveything else second. We would not have won all those AI without him. Of course he would not have won them without the players he had at his disposal. Everything just fell into place. History will be very kind to him. Like all great men he has his personality and you either like it or not. As KK people we should not be having a pop at him TBH. We can disagree about his methods but they worked.

I would hope the CB are doing a very thorough review of our inter county teams and lack of success for years now. As i have said i do think there is an AI there to be won but to cross that line we have to be bolder and braver. Take chances. We should not be rubber stamping any appointments for any of our inter county teams. Anyone interested should be going through an interview process.

Justice for the individual

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123639656#Comment_123639656

There will be a certain Tipperary politician with a dubious pass and also and a present politician from Cork who have doneand is doing far worse things against this COUNTRY and no doubt they will be in attendance - will the Tipperary or Cork crowd boo them when they show up. let's be consistent on this (I could use another word). DJ is entitled to be there for his past sporting exploits for the Kilkenny team and particularly for true Kilkenny hurling supporters - there is no room for pettiness in this situation - we should all man up. So for all future jubilees will any past reputational damage be fine-combed also.

Justice for the individual

*past

Nickindublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123647660#Comment_123647660

I went to school with most of the Careys. I have not had much contact with them in the years since. What Dj has done is unacceptable but you can never take away his on the field achievements. He was an outsatnding hurler and will go down as one of the greatest of all time. Such a pity he has tarnished his name this way.

kk.man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123647902#Comment_123647902

Plus one.

Shirleysrumbler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123647918#Comment_123647918

I think k the fact that the entire Carey family has been "Unsuccessful" in an assortment of "Business Pursuits" from cleaning products to carsales& from hurley making to financial services not to mention property ventures speaks of a crowd who went in over their heads due to overusing a family profile. In a parallel world we'd have

1.A rep for a cleaning company who did the odd bit of promo work.

2.A small town accountant who looked after a few farmers & shops.

3.A lad who bought and sold a few horses and had a side hussle on Thyestes day.

4. A car salesman who probably wouldn't have had the profile for Lyngs,Laharts or the Boland group.

All were in over their heads and then wanted others to pay for their lifestyles. On a side note,I know three of DJs victims personally and all three would be quite comfortable financially but all would have been more or less tee total,hardworking and above all else sincere to a point of naivete about how a conman gets your trust & milks it. Oh and I'm not including Mr Lowrys Esat client in my list thankfully

deadybai

Are the county board actually going to take action this time regarding the lack of success for ten years?

The most annoying thing for me is that we actually have had a fairly good team the last number of years but when have any of them ever pulled a rabbit out of a hat or took a game and played it on there own terms? We rely heavily on TJ to do that and he hasn’t been that type of player for a long time now . Eoin Cody showed us glimpses in 2023 but he hasn’t been that regressed since then .

Theremaybetrouble

There is a real sense of frustration with the current administration and there are important questions that need to be answered.

The Kilkenny GAA’s Corporate Plan for 2024 to 2030 is now in it's second year. Does anyone know what exactly is the tangible outcome for Kilkenny from all these GAA and County Council reviews and new plans—is there actually going to be visible improvement on the ground, or is this just another document promising investment, facilities audits and “integration” that never materialises?

Beyond the launch and documentation, what tangible improvements will the GAA community in Kilkenny actually see within the next twelve months? Will there be new or upgraded pitches, better access to training facilities for all clubs, and visible progress at UPMC Nowlan Park, or is the focus still on more planning and auditing?

Is there a public timeline or roadmap that details when each major project or facility investment is expected to start and finish? How will local clubs, players, and supporters be kept informed—and what happens if key milestones are missed?

With significant sums of money mentioned—€10 million for Kilkenny GAA and increasing Council budgets—what specific controls and reporting are in place to ensure this funding is directly and transparently spent on promised coaching, infrastructure, and integration, rather than absorbed by overhead or delayed by bureaucracy?

The plan highlights support for a “player-first mindset” and the Schools-Club Dynamic. What new resources or opportunities will underage players or rural clubs in particular notice on the ground because of this plan? Can we expect more coaching staff, better equipment, or enhanced pathways for participation and development?

Fundraising is a priority, with Phil Hogan acting as a conduit to the corporate sector. Are there clear targets for how much money needs to be raised privately versus what is expected from grants, GAA central funds or local council support? How will the success or shortfall of fundraising efforts change the rollout of facilities or programmes?

There is mention of an audit of all GAA facilities in the county. How will the audit results be shared with the public and local clubs, and what assurance is there that this won’t just become another report without follow-through, as seen in so many public projects?

The Nowlan Park development promises a model of excellence and sustainability. Will this include long-discussed essentials such as installation of floodlights and expanded community use, and what’s the timescale for these works?

Given the long-term relationship with current sponsors and uncertainty around jersey and stadium sponsorships, can Kilkenny supporters expect new commercial partnerships or corporate backing that offer clear benefits locally—or simply a rebadging of existing deals?

Lasty how can the county the Board measure whether “integration” and “academy” ambitions have made a real difference? Will there be public reporting or open forums so the county’s GAA grassroots and wider community can hold decision-makers to account if promised outcomes aren’t delivered?

Sometimes the sound of silence is the most deafening sound of all……

Tombo2001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648229#Comment_123648229

On the face of it, these are all reasonable questions - however, what is the point of coming on boards.ie as an anonymous poster and asking them here.

We all know the GAA is a volunteer organisation first and foremost - the county board may be accountable, and may have to be held accountable, but not to someone on a chat forum.

And going back to the 'volunteer' part - how many staff does Kilkenny GAA employ? Who do you propose will publicise the specific controls and reporting, or indeed draw them up in first place? Who is going to map out a plan of new resources for rural underage players? Or address all those other issues.

Have they a team of 40 people?

All very well to say 'the county board'. But going back to my point - do they have staff; or are you saying 'all you lads giving up massive amounts of time, for free - well I'm not happy, ye are not doing enough, ye need do more'.

Theremaybetrouble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648293#Comment_123648293

With respect, I admire the commitment and sheer hard work put in by Kilkenny’s GAA volunteers at every level, and I absolutely recognise that the county board relies on goodwill, not on a large paid staff. The reason for raising these questions—here or anywhere—is not to undermine anyone's efforts or demand the impossible, but to ensure that when ambitious plans or major funding are announced, there is open discussion about how progress will be tracked, who benefits, and what changes the grassroots can realistically expect.

Of course, most of the heavy lifting has always been done by volunteers, and nobody expects the county board to operate like a major corporation with huge resources.

But - even in a volunteer-driven organisation, transparency and communication matter—especially when it comes to decisions that impact pitches, player development, club facilities, or major sponsorships.

It’s not about criticism for its own sake, or suggesting “you’re not doing enough”; it’s simply about asking: what tangible changes will people in Kilkenny actually see? For example, if the new corporate plan promises a €10 million investment, the community rightly wants to know how that’s being prioritised, when to expect real progress, and how local clubs can access support or improvements.

Even without a big administrative team, small steps like regular updates for clubs, basic reports on spending, or just outlining next season’s priorities could make a big difference to local engagement and trust. Raising these questions isn’t a slight on volunteers; rather, it’s about making sure their huge efforts translate into the kind of visible outcomes that keep everyone motivated and involved. Like you, I want the best for Kilkenny GAA, and asking how things are done—or could be done better—comes from a place of respect and genuine support for the organisation.

robwen

https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/sport/1850436/st-kierans-and-kilkenny-gaa-agree-deal-on-new-playing-facilities.html

Kilkenny GAA and St Kieran’s College have come together to sign an agreement for the development of a full-size Astroturf pitch and the redevelopment of a full-size playing pitch at the secondary school.

The decision which was agreed with Kilkenny County Council will see Kilkenny GAA get the benefit of a top class facility upon it’s completion.

Krazy gang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123647207#Comment_123647207

How is it not disingenuous if it was only weeks after his brother's death?

Lap of Laois

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123649278#Comment_123649278

I’m sorry but I don’t understand your question. Maybe you need to read my post again.

mercury16

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123622755#Comment_123622755

you need to look up what woke means.
And touched a nerve have we?
bottom line, he goes missing in the big games.

mercury16

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648182#Comment_123648182

you may or may not have a point.
you absolutely are entitled to your opinion.
I would say though, that commenting on the game and one’s suitability to be in the team or performances good or bad, we are entitled to comment on, we pay to watch, go too and fund, as well as train the players at different levels that are on these inter county teams.
But, players/ex players, private lives in this amateur game, should be off limits for discussion here.
And that is certainly not me defending him, not at all, all the evidence would lean me the opposite way, but I believe personal lives should be off limits. I never thought him a great player because of who he was, what he did in his private live, etc it was solely based on how he played.

mercury16

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123647119#Comment_123647119

I’m not so sure Henry is suited to it.
yeah he won with Balkyhale where the mindset and players were already there.
but with Thomas town and with Galway he needed to create that, and was not able too.
he might be an amazing selector/coach right now but KK need someone who can make that team mentally stronger, so they get playing to their ability and not fading in games. Henry is not that man, and definitely not it right now.

Nickindublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123649709#Comment_123649709

Im not advocating for Shefflin to get the job. I was saying I understood Codys position if he did indeed offer Shefflin a position before he went to Galway. I also said i understand why former players go to other counties as they dont get opurtunities in KK.

I believe if this current KK team with the addition of maybe a couple new players especially at 6 will need the best possible management team to win an AI. If you look at the obvious for next season Lyng, Shefflin and maybe Brennan. IMO none of them will get us over the line. Lyng has had 3 years and I think the team has stalled. Galway under Shefflin got progressively worse year by year. Brennan wasnt a success at U21 with KK and did well at Laois but sorry KK is a different proposition. THe CB i would presume will try stick with Lyng. But IMO and i dont have a name but I think they need to roll the dice. I think the senior team needs new ideas.

KK36

I think Brian Hogan might be the next Kilkenny manager.

Conversations 3

Would the county board splash out and bring in a mind coach or similar?

Gerry Hussey is doing it with boxers, rugby teams and I think he was with the Kildare footballers this year.

Nickindublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123650047#Comment_123650047

Could be. Whoever it is needs to think outside the box.One thing i feel is missing on the sideline is passion. I feel thats being missing under Lyng. Its all a bit too nice and you can see that on the field. Need somone like Tommy Walsh in the backroom team.

kk.man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123650047#Comment_123650047

Heard same.