Replying To gatha:  "Cody has done the next manager a great favor by staying on a few years after his last All Ireland win. The talent isn't there right now and if a new manager came in say in '16 or '17 they would have been under severe pressure to win with a team that isn't a top 4 team. Now when the next manager does come in the supporters will probably a bit more understanding. I know Cody isn't thinking like this, He is surely trying to win the 2021 All Ireland that's what made him great the never give in attitude."

Replying To bricktop:  "Not sure I take that from it TBH.

The one out and out star on the team currently is TJ Reid (Eoin Murphy accepted) and IMO he's only another year or two at the peak of his powers and he will probably carry the burden for Kilkenny whilst they rebuild and rebuild they must.
I think that a new man with new ideas on the modern game would like to do that now with TJ still there as Cody, the greatest manager in my lifetime and beyond needs to step down.

Time and hurling waits for no man and whilst the doggedness of Kilkenny certainly won them a Leinster title they'd no right to win in 2020 they are between styles and when the pressure comes on like it did against Galway they lumped high ball up to TJ now operating closer to the goals and got lucky with Daithi Burke slipping and the Galway keeper being less than forceful when coming out.

They were cleaned out by Waterford in the second half when they reverted to type yet again by lumping high, long ball into the forwards. Same the end of the 2019 AI final v Tipp and made a hero of Barry Heffernan.
If they ever meet Limerick in 2021 in anger then I'm expecting Limerick to exact a serious revenge on them for the beatings they've taken over the 00's and 10's.

Kilkenny need a new style and they know it"

Replying To Fairplayalways:  "I think your right on two fronts, Cody as we know is a ruthless manager, and I think, Ger Aylward, and Fennelly and even Murphy were picking up vibes that they were not going to feature this year and got their "oar" in first if you know what I mean. I know we are in unprecedented times, but I cannot remember a Kilkenny player taking time out before (I know someone will come on and tell me of one or two but in recent years "times outs" are not a Kilkenny thing that i read about anyway...Cody dispensed with Philly Larkin, Eamon Kennedy (man of the match in 2000 against us) and other notable names along the way, Charlie Carter too there was "in and out" and "whats the story" etc. around him that time too...I do think the end game for Cody has probably arrived, he is being left in situ which is fair enough if thats what the County Board want, but while not betting man, ide say alot of these opt outs and there will be more to follow are connected to Cody staying on....Shefflin and Eddie Brenan are probably loyal to Cody and wont present for the managers job until he says he is going himself...thats my tuppence on it..some hurlers going there that would get on most county team..pity to see...Ger Aylward only 28..."

Replying To Bon:  "Yeah I agree, you never see Kilkenny players taking a year out like other counties . They get one chance to play and that's that. Imagine going up to Cody and telling him you want to go travelling for the year and you'll be back. Good luck. Can't see Fennelly coming back in under Cody."

Replying To Fairplayalways:  "I see a few of the star Waterford under age players back for Waterford this year, announced yesterday, DJ Foran being one whom was a star underage and I think featured briefly before Liam Cahill took charge...they have a few injuries still, Pauraic Mahony and Darragh Fives etc...what a pity Phillip Mahony wont opt in..he might be the missing link in way...Shane Bennett also back..again..a huge lift..if only they could get Phillip Mahony now and one or two others possibly..."

Replying To gatha:  "Cody has done the next manager a great favor by staying on a few years after his last All Ireland win. The talent isn't there right now and if a new manager came in say in '16 or '17 they would have been under severe pressure to win with a team that isn't a top 4 team. Now when the next manager does come in the supporters will probably a bit more understanding. I know Cody isn't thinking like this, He is surely trying to win the 2021 All Ireland that's what made him great the never give in attitude."