Kevin Fennelly doesn't regret handing over the Kilkenny managerial reins to Brian Cody.

The former goalkeeper, whose nephews Michael and Colin will line out in Sunday's All-Ireland SHC final against Galway, led the Cats to an Leinster title and an All-Ireland final appearance in 1998, which was his only season at the helm. Cody succeeded him later that year and has since won the Liam MacCarthy Cup a remarkable 10 times.

"I wouldn't say it (regret at leaving) never crossed my mind. Maybe for a year or two after," Fennelly said at the launch of the One Direct Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Hurling Sevens.

"I came (to Croke Park) for the All-Ireland the following year and we were beaten by a point and I thought we should have won it against Cork on a wet day. I was a bit disappointed going home that evening but after that..."

The Ballyhale Shamrocks clubman, who also managed Dublin, maintains that Cody was better cut out for the job, simply because hurling is his life.

"When I saw Brian stepping into the job, I thought he was much more suited to the job than I was because if I'd a game of golf or something on in the evening, I'd like to be there. Brian was only interested in one thing - hurling and being in Nowlan Park doing it.

"From a commitment point of view, I work with clubs and hurling in my own way, but Brian's commitment to the cause and what he's at and to stay at it as long as he did without deviating, that's his biggest strength and what sets him apart from the rest of us.

"I don't think I could have that commitment for as long as Brian."

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