Brian Cody doesn't foresee major problems with the GAA's plans to make the wearing of helmets compulsory from January 1 next. Former Cork star Diarmuid O'Sullivan recently revealed that the prospect of having to wear a helmet influenced his decision to quit hurling, while the rule change will create difficulties for a host of other inter-county players who have never worn headgear before. "It's going to be a strange situation for those players. I think it's a psychological thing, something you've been doing all your life. Michael Kavanagh and James Ryall are examples for us, and you'd see Tommy (Walsh) throwing off the helmet as well," the Kilkenny manager said. "When you are playing for so long without it, you can find it strange wearing one. Nowadays, it's part and parcel of the gear for young players and that's the way it is. Diarmuid O'Sullivan has already stated how he feels, but I think it's a psychological thing." Despite Kilkenny's vice-like grip on the Bob O'Keeffe Cup, Cody is adamant that the Leinster hurling championship is going from strength to strength. "It's been a very, very strong Leinster championship. They were massive tests against Galway and Dublin. To me, the Leinster championship is always competitive, but in other years we had bigger wins. The league final was another phenomenal test, so a lot of players were exposed to real tests. "Dublin had been threatening for a few years, Galway will always be contenders for All-Irelands, but the biggest thing of all this year for me was probably the Laois performance against Limerick last Saturday night. "Niall Rigney has come in this year and done a great job, and they are realising the potential and they will be even stronger for the experience next year." Tweet

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