'An early kick up the hole never hurt anyone'

So I've this friend. Sean Drummond is his name. Actually he's a friend of a friend. A man not too dissimilar to my good self. The ancient games are what float his boat. He'd have little or no interest in the Euros. At least I don't think he would. No, his scene centres around the fortunes of the capital's hurlers and footballers. He posted on my Facebook Timeline this morning. 'Lucky boys against Limerick yesterday,' he said. 'Huge improvement needed after that performance.' I agreed and added that Tipperary 'showed great composure' and that the experience 'will do them no harm at all' in the long run. 

Sean Drummond knows what he's talking about. He knows that custard is no use to anyone without jelly. He knows that one swallow never made a summer. 'An early kick up the hole never hurt anyone'... He knows that, along with everyone else.

ASIWYFA Cody

And So I Watch You From Afar Cody. I thought I'd solve that puzzle for my many, many readers right away. ASIWYFA are a four-piece instrumental rock band from Belfast. Rory Friers, Tony Wright, Johnny Adger and Chris Wee make the sound. Not a Cody (Christian name or surname) in sight. So who is this Cody fella?

A groupie? Former band member? No. None of those. Cody, Brian Cody, is the most successful hurling manager of all time. He's not in the band because he doesn't have the time. Kilkenny don't afford him the time.

I know which Bourke I’d have

Tom Kennedy was always tall. He was wiry. A good target man. Great pair of hands. Not the most skilful hurler but a great pair of hands. Good attitude.

Tom Kennedy sat behind me in Templetuohy on Sunday where a plethora of county stars were on show. He didn’t seem as tall. Holycross-Ballycahill and JK Brackens was the fare on offer - the second part of a double-header. The former had shocked reigning County and divisional champions Thurles Sarsfields in the opening match in Group Two and were on a high going into the clash with the men from Templemore.