He may have won eight All-Ireland titles as manager and a further three on the field of play, but Brian Cody's most memorable GAA moment was when his club ended a 23-year wait for a county title.

The Kilkenny man is heading into his 15th year as the Cats' manager and has won every accolade in the game. Yet when asked to recall the highlight during his involvement in the GAA, he picked out James Stephens county title win in 2004.

"I have had many great days and victories with my county but nothing compares with the feelings, the emotions and the satisfaction I experienced when the Village won the county title in 2004 after a gap of 23 years, and then winning the All-Ireland club title on St Patrick's Day, 2005," said Cody in the newly published book, 'My Great Sporting Memories'.

"I was not involved directly with the team but I had a very special interest as my son, Donncha, was right full back and my sense of pride was overwhelming.

"Naturally, there is a wonderful sense of fulfilment every time Kilkenny win but involvement with club is much more special. The Village, the parish, the community, the club and the hurling mean everything to me.

"Our club had not won the Kilkenny title since 1981 and the longer the valley period went on the more frustrating it became. In the final we were up against Young Irelands for whom DJ Carey belted in three goals but we held on to win by a single point. The final whistle sounded; heavenly music to my ears!"

Cody goes on to say that the club must come first for players, as they will only be successful at intercounty level if they apply themselves with their club.

"Every player should have the ambition to wear the county jersey but you can only achieve that through the club because if you are not playing well at club level, you're not going to make it at county level. The club provides the opportunity to do anything you want as a player." Tweet

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