The furore around post-match handshakes with Galway manager Henry Shefflin has likely "energised" Kilkenny boss Brian Cody, according to former Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins.
Weeks after a much-talked about handshake between Cody and his former Cats talisman Shefflin during their sides' Leinster round robin clash, another meeting of hands was in the spotlight again after Saturday's provincial decider at Croke Park which saw Kilkenny prevail.
Both managers played down the significance of the post-match interaction on Sunday but speaking on RTÉ's The Sunday Game, Cummins offered a theory as to how the furore may be something of a welcome distraction for Cody.
"I think it's absolutely energised Brian Cody," said Cummins.
Brendan Cummins believes the controversy surrounding his relationship with Henry Shefflin has energised Brian Cody, while Shane Dowling describes the furore as "sad"#SundayGame #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/CeFdKhyQ6Z
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 5, 2022
"He held the whole place in the palm of his hand last night with the cameras following him around.
"But certainly as sportspeople we'd all like to say, 'Go over and shake hands and we're not talking about it tonight'. But Brian Cody is just very dogged in the way he goes about things and he'll be delighted now that he got one over on Henry last night as well."
🤝There was a bit of a wait but the sequel to the 'Handshake' did occur between Brian Cody and Henry Shefflin #RTEGAA #LeinsterFinal pic.twitter.com/GeChTXOBLq
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 4, 2022
Former Limerick hurler Shane Dowling added that the whole situation, in his view, was "sad" to see.
"It's two iconic people. I don't know what's going on and to be honest I don't care, it's none of my business. I'd say a lot of people don't know what's going on but what I do know though is it's just sad," he said.
"Two iconic people, you'd just love to see just being a bit more normal."
On the more important matters between the teams on the pitch during Kilkenny's Leinster final win, Cummins said the Cats' intensity in bouncing back from recent setbacks, including against Galway in Salthill, was evident.
"They were angry" - Brendan Cummins on how Kilkenny psychologically ground down Galway in the Leinster final #SundayGame #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/oH5zuT9bQh
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 5, 2022
"They were angry Kilkenny were and even the celebrations after the game showed a release of satisfaction," he said.
"Galway came into this game as favourites. They hadn't been beaten in the Leinster championship; Kilkenny had been beaten in their third game in the competition.
"But Kilkenny ground it out and when they were coming down the home straight, suddenly they were five points up and that's what they do to you.
"Galway played a little bit into their hands but at the same time anytime a Galway guy got the ball, there were 2-3 Kilkenny fellas chasing him and making sure he couldn't get his head up and Galway were just caught in that bit of a haze and eventually Kilkenny ground it out."
