The tributes are pouring in after Brian Cody announced his retirement as Kilkenny manager after 24 seasons in charge.
With nearly a quarter of a century of service to his county, Cody has managed some of hurling's greatest players, including the likes of DJ Carey, Henry Shefflin and TJ Reid.
Jackie Tyrrell won nine All-Ireland titles under Cody and writing on social media, he said: "One of the very very lucky ones to have witnessed Brian Cody up close in action.
READ MORE: Brian Cody steps down as Kilkenny manager after remarkable reign
"His passion and love for Kilkenny hurling is unparalleled. Honoured to have been managed by the greatest manager ever."
Brian Hogan, who was the captain of their 2011 All-Ireland success, spoke of the motivational power of Cody.
"He’d make you make you feel seven foot tall. He’d really make you believe you could go through a wall or take on anyone," the O’Loughlin Gaels man told RTE.
"As a team, [he’d] make you believe that once you got your own game right, and it was very much internal focus on yourself, getting yourselves right, be prepared, that everything else would look after itself from there.
"He was a bit of psychologist maybe; I know the current Limerick team have Caroline Currid there and Brian in some respects was like that. A tough taskmaster as well."
On the eve of Saturday's All-Ireland camogie quarter-final between Cork and Waterford, 2009 All Star Elaine Aylward of Kilkenny said Cody was completely unique.
“What manager is going to put 24 years into senior inter-county management these days?” she asked. “He’s been a legend of the game, both as a player and as a manager.
"He’s been around so long, the retro jerseys are nearly back in at this stage — the ones they wore back then!
“What he’s done for Kilkenny hurling, he’s revitalised the team time and time again. He trained Michael Carey this year, he trained DJ [Carey] back in his pomp.
"To have seen that turnover and to have kept Kilkenny successful for that 24-year period is a massive, massive testament to the man.”
Mayo football legend Cora Staunton said: "What an unbelievable manager Brian Cody was. His records are of the charts. Ruthless,driven and a born winner."
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