Eddie Brennan is not expecting Henry Shefflin to return with Kilkenny for the 2015 season, despite last night's news that Brian Cody will remain on as manager for another year.
Cody ended speculation last night and confirmed he would lead the team next year and defend their 2014 All-Ireland Hurling Championship title.
Shefflin remains undecided on his future and his former team-mate feels he will opt to retire with ten All-Ireland titles to his name.
Brennan told RTÉ Sport: “I suspect - and it's only a suspicion - that he may go. He has a club county final on Sunday and should they win that, it is going to carry him on.
“Maybe that will help him stay on, or whatever. Henry has been phenomenal and there is no superlatives left to describe the man. He has done it all. He is a standalone person in the GAA and owes the county nothing.
“I think if he did go, I don't think anyone would be complaining. Brian looks as if he has moulded another team to drive forward.
“Listening to Henry the night he was on Second Captains, you'd have to say that you can clearly see he is mulling over it. I'm sure he will consider a lot of factors. His body has been through the ringer.”
“I think we'd be better off speculating how long he is going to be in there as opposed to when he is actually going to go.” - Eddie Brennan
Cody will attempt to bring All-Ireland number 37 to the Cats next season after choosing to continue in his role.
Shefflin said Cody has been invigorated by a new backroom team.
“I think we were all speculating that he would [retire]. You thought when he got to the holy grail and surpassed Mick O'Dwyer's record that this was it for him.
“But he installed a new management team, and historically when you look through Brian Cody's reign, you'll see that when he has brought in a few new voices, it has tended to freshen him up as much as anything else. It energised Brian again.
“I think the man's appetite and hunger is insatiable, and he is on record saying that he quite simply loves the job and loves what he is doing.
“I think we'd be better off speculating how long he is going to be in there, as opposed to when he is actually going to go.”
