Kilkenny boss Brian Cody says he is relishing this Sunday's long-awaited Division One NHL game against Tipperary at Thurles.

The two sides have already been denied their mouth-watering clash against one another twice since the start of the league, but Cody believes that both teams are as primed as ever to meet for the first time since last year's All-Ireland decider.

"Sunday's will be a serious, serious game," said Cody in this week's Kilkenny People newspaper.

"We tried to get it going over the last couple of weeks and we failed. Both teams were ready to play. Now we will get it on.

"The league is on now. There is no such thing as working your way into it. The hurling season has started, and that's it. We are looking forward to the challenge against Tipperary because it is a real challenge playing them, or any of the teams in what is a top class league."

The Cats enjoyed a winning start to their campaign last weekend against Offaly and will look to build on that, while Tipp will surely be out to make up for their surprising defeat to Dublin when they welcome the champions to Semple Stadium. Tweet

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