Jimmy Barry-Murphy and Brian Cody have spoken of the enormous respect they hold for each other.

The two hurling greats go back over 40 years and will come face-to-face again on Sunday as managers of the Cork and Kilkenny teams that meet in the Allianz Hurling League decider.

"It's amazing how our whole careers have coincided, playing with Kilkenny and Cork and coaching as well. It's extraordinary how long Brian has been there. I opted out for 11 years and he's still there when I come back! I didn't envisage this situation ever arising again," JBM told the Irish Times at yesterday's press gathering in Croke Park.

Cody said: "We do go back a long way, we played minor, U21 and senior hurling against each other - I never came up against him in football! Our careers have had parallels and he's back to haunt me again! He's just a sound fella, a fella you would always be happy to meet anywhere. He's straightforward and genuine, a manager that everyone in Cork is very, very happy with."

Barry-Murphy reckons that inter-county hurling hasn't changed much since his last stint as Cork manager ended in 2001.

"The game is pretty basic, it's simply hurling skill and commitment," he continued.

"As the years have gone on everything is being upgraded - preparation, physical, technical, tactical. That's all very, very worthwhile but at the end of the day I think Kilkenny and Tipperary have proven over the last three or four years that the best teams get to the top. My biggest ambition always when I take over a team is to try and build team spirit. You develop a panel of players that want to play together and win together.

"I think if you start off with that you've a chance. If you haven't got morale in the background and team spirit, you've nothing." Tweet

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