‘It’s a privilege to play for your country’ – Kilkenny star answers Ireland’s call
Kilkenny hurling star Eoin Cody said he “can’t wait” to represent Ireland against Scotland for the Hurling-Shinty International later this month.
Speaking to reporters, the Ballyhale Shamrocks man spoke of his delight at getting the call from Ireland hurling team joint-manager Michael Kavanagh inviting him to join the panel for the international, which takes place on Saturday, October 26. He said he didn’t hesitate to make himself available for selection.
“As soon as Mick asked me, it was that chance of representing Ireland,” said Cody. “Especially after watching the Olympics. You’re thinking about how great it is for those athletes to go out and represent Ireland, how much it means for an individual to represent their country – it’s very special. For us to get the opportunity now…I can’t wait to do it.
“Even since I’ve been selected to be on the panel, I’ve talked to the likes of TJ, Richie Hogan, and they’ve all said how much they enjoyed it. Even Henry [Shefflin] himself, I was chatting to Henry during the week, he was telling me about his experience. It’s one of them things you can always say you did in the future.
“Even putting on the jersey here for the launch, it’s a deadly jersey to have for training and stuff for the next while. Just to be able to say you represented Ireland, it’s unreal. It’s a privilege to play for your country. It’s not something you get to do every day, especially as a hurler. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Despite a disappointing year with club and county, Cody said he is determined to realise his ambition of winning an All-Ireland with Kilkenny. And he insists the Cats are “not far off” from this year’s champions Clare.
“A puck of a ball in the game this year and we could have been in an All-Ireland Final,” he said. “In fairness to Clare they’re All-Ireland champions now and well-deserved.
“I suppose you set out to win an All-Ireland at the start of every year and unfortunately we haven’t in a long time now. It’s my personal goal and the team’s. For me, I’ve never won one like so many people now on the team at this stage and we all just want to win one so bad.
“Maybe if we just start focusing on game to game and not on the end goal it might be a different thing. In Kilkenny we just all want to win one so badly so maybe that could be the reason we haven’t maybe gotten there. The hunger is definitely there, that’s one thing for sure.”
