Kilkenny legend DJ to be named selector in Brian Cody’s new backroom team: report

By COLIN BARTLEY

KILKENNY hurling manager Brian Cody is ready to turn to one of the Cats all-time legends as he looks to revamp his backroom team after the departures of long-time assistant Michael Dempsey and former player Derek Lyng.

DJ Carey, Cody’s old lieutenant and five-time All-Ireland winner, is expected to be named as a member of Kilkenny’s backroom team, and the manager hopes DJ’s appointment will be music to the ears of Cats fans.

A member of DJ’s Under 20s backroom team from last season is also expected to be promoted to the senior set up. Mickey Comerford, an O’Loughlin Gaels clubman, has worked with DJ for the past two years and is expected to fill the role left vacant by Dempsey’s departure.

According to a report in today’s Irish Mirror, where Carey is a columnist, DJ is set to replace Derek Lyng in the selectors, with Lyng taking over DJ’s old role as Cats Under 20 manager. James McGarry, the former Kilkenny keeper who has been part of Cody’s staff since the 2014 season, will remain in place.

Carey has had a number of high-profile manager roles in the past couple of seasons.He guided IT Carlow to their first-ever final appearance in the Fitzgibbon Cup in 2017.

He was appointed Kilkenny under-21 manager for the 2018 campaign, winning the Leinster under 20s title this season before his young guns were undone against Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final.