Notable retirements and whether Henry Shefflin will give it one more year garnered many column inches when it came to Kilkenny hurling in the close season.
One constant remains, however, and that is Brian Cody. He is relishing the challenge of a 17th year in charge of the Cats and a challenge that he hopes will unearth future leaders to keep the Black and Amber masters of all they survey.
No thoughts of going off into the sunset entered Cody’s head after he presided over a tenth All-Ireland success for Kilkenny last September.
"Any talk of retirement will be governed whether I have doubts in my own head or not,” he told RTÉ Sport.
"It didn’t occur to me that I should stop. I wait to see what my head tells me. I didn’t feel that I should give it up. The challenge appeals to me and that’s it."
It has been said that Cody lives and breathes hurling and there is no doubt that he derives much enjoyment from working with players that he adds “are the product of a great club structure in Kilkenny”.
“I enjoy the role I have – enjoy working with players and the backroom team. That’s what keeps me going. It’s great to challenge yourself.
"The hurling community in Kilkenny is strong and healthy and it’s great to be part of it. The work that goes on in the clubs on a daily basis is outstanding. That work feeds development squads that ensures the county side remains competitive."
Of course, the Kilkenny boss will have to plan without the likes of – David Herity, Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, JJ Delaney and Aidan Fogarty for the 2015 season.
“I enjoy the role I have – enjoy working with players and the backroom team" - Brian Cody
And while he admitted their departure was a loss, Cody added that he did not make any approach to make them change their minds.
“Others great players have retired during my time in charge and I didn’t persuade them to change their minds,” he said
"They have agonised long and hard over the decision and it was a decision I’m sure that they didn’t take lightly. I don’t think I have the right to say you’re wrong and you shouldn’t retire. I have to respect their decision.
"There is a huge loss of experience and leaders gone from our dressing room with the retirement of five outstanding players. It’s something you don’t replace easily and you don’t replace it overnight.
"You can get players to play the game and to fill the positions but the leadership and the wisdom that those players brought to our dressing room could never be overestimated.
"I’m not suggesting that we don’t have great leaders, we do, and we still have a really strong panel. Right now we’re short of players through injury and club commitments with Ballyhale. Look, we’ll take on the challenge and see where we’ll go."
When asked whether he would encourage Henry Shefflin to remain on, Cody again reiterated his stance that he will leave the matter up to the player involved.
“There is much speculation about Henry because he is there for so long. The same way I didn’t influence any of the other lads, I won’t be influencing Henry either.
“Henry’s absolute and total focus is now on an All-Ireland club final with the Shamrocks. We all saw how he played last Saturday (against Gort in the semi-final). You can be sure there is nothing else in his head right now except an All-Ireland club medal.”
