Brian Cody was hailed as the celebrity coach that he is on Monday night last at the launch of his new autobiography Cody, when some 1,300 fans turned out to greet him at Cillin Hill.
Brian Cody was ever the gentleman and sat for over three hours signing copies of his acclaimed autobiography for fans who queued the length and breadth of the Hub venue at Cillin Hill to wait their turn to meet the celebrity hurling coach who brought the Cats to the four-in-a-row title this year.
Also in attendance were former Kilkenny hurling greats Eddie Keher and DJ Carey along with current hurling stars Henry Shefflin, PJ Ryan, and Brian Hogan.
The book was launched by county board secretary Ned Quinn, who has been a friend and confidant of the hurling manager over his term of office.
Speaking to the crowd prior to signing copies of his life story, Brian Cody told the gathering that this book was “essentially about the past 11 years and my involvement with the Kilkenny panel. I didn’t go into detail about my childhood, my early years, or bring my family into it in any major way at all. My family are quite happy not to be mentioned in it. My father was a massive James Stephen’s and Kilkenny person and I obviously inherited whatever passion I have for hurling from himself and my mother”.
Brian Cody also stressed that his book was not just about Kilkenny county hurling but also about his own club, James Stephen’s.
“A huge part of my life has been mentioned in the book also, apart from my playing career. Obviously my own club, James Stephen’s, has been a major influence also and all GAA people can understand that. The club is the very essence of the GAA and the day we forget that is the day we forget everything about the GAA and everything about ourselves. I think it is hugely important for all county players to retain that sheer affiliation and passion for their clubs. The reason they become county players in the first place is because they are leaders in their clubs.”
Following his speech Brian Cody sat and signed a huge number of books for fans, running out of ink halfway through.
