GAELIC GAMES:A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Ceremonial captaincy just fine by Cody

LIKE several other counties, the Kilkenny captain is nominated by the club champions. It means the position can become a largely figurehead/ceremonial role. This has worked well for Kilkenny, with the core leaders in the group allowed to continue their duties without the burden of a title.

Ballyhale Shamrocks have won the past four county titles so their club men have been first up the Hogan steps to collect Liam in recent times (we imagine they will be doing so again on Sunday unless the fans opt to stay off the field).

TJ Reid may have only solidified a position amongst the six starting forwards but he was handed the captaincy in 2010.

Denis Byrne of Graigue Ballycullen is the only man to twice captain Kilkenny in the Cody era, in 1999 and 2001, with the All-Ireland escaping his grasp both years.

Martin Comerford and Peter Barry are the other unsuccessful leaders since ’99.

Here are Cody’s All-Ireland winning captains:

2000 – Willie O’Connor (Glenmore)

2002 – Andy Comerford (O’Loughlin Gales)

2003 – DJ Carey (Young Irelands)

2006 – Jackie Tyrrell (James Stephens)

2007 – Henry Shefflin (Ballyhale Shamrocks)

2008 – James Fitzpatrick (Ballyhale Shamrocks)

2009 – Michael Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks)

Tipp tops in head-to-heads with Cats

KILKENNY and Tipperary have met in 14 All-Ireland finals since 1895. Tipperary lead the count on a score of 9-5, and 5-2 in the last seven, although it should be noted Kilkenny only drew level with Tipp for All-Ireland titles in 1982.

They have since won 10 to Tipp’s three (1989, 1991 and 2001), with the totals now at 32 to 25.

Kilkenny and Tipperary’s previous All-Ireland final meetings:

2009 Kilkenny 2-22 Tipperary 0-23

1991 Tipperary 1-16 Kilkenny 0-15

1971 Tipperary 5-17 Kilkenny 5-14

1967 Kilkenny 3-8 Tipperary 2-7

1964 Tipperary 5-13 Kilkenny 2-8

1950 Tipperary 1-9 Kilkenny 1-8

1945 Tipperary 5-6 Kilkenny 3-6

1937 Tipperary 3-11 Kilkenny 0-3

1922 Kilkenny 4-2 Tipperary 2-6

1916 Tipperary 5-4 Kilkenny 3-2

1913 Kilkenny 2-4 Tipperary 1-2

1909 Kilkenny 4-6 Tipperary 0-12

1898 Tipperary 7-13 Kilkenny 3-10

1895 Tipperary 6-8 Kilkenny 1-0

GPA back curb on pitch invasions

THE GPA have released a statement asking fans not to invade the pitch after Sunday’s game.

“The Gaelic Players Association would like to ask supporters once again to respect their players by not entering the Croke Park pitch after next Sunday’s hurling final.

“The GPA has consistently supported the GAA’s campaign to end pitch invasions for the past 12 months as we believe they represent a danger to player safety along with the threat to the safety of supporters and stewards.

“While we understand that this represents a break with tradition, the GPA is happy to support the initiative as it is not acceptable that players should have to endure verbal abuse or physical interference after an intense championship game. This is not a snub on patrons who support the games . . . neither do we believe that the contribution and importance of the supporter is diminished in any way by ending pitch invasions.”

Tipperary older than 2001 crop

THE average age of the Tipperary panel is 25 years and eight months, as against the 24 years and two months average age of the 2001 All-Ireland winners.

Brendan Cummins was the third-oldest player on that team, at 26 trailing only Declan Ryan (33) and Eddie Enright (27).

Cummins is now the oldest player on the Tipperary panel aged 35 years and four months. Noel McGrath is the youngest at 19 years and nine months.

Kilkenny Press Pack has more pizazz this time out

THE Kilkenny Press Pack has been guilty of lacking colour in previous years. Basically, it was just laden down with statistics and a long list of honours.

This season, however, it has added a few lines on each player’s page. For example:

Aidan Fogarty: “Remarkable attacker, with distinctive wheeling style . . . His goal against Cork, via a first time pull, should be shown to every schoolchild.”

Mick Kavanagh: “One of the most elegant corner backs to ever catch a hurl – and no less effective, defensively, for said elegance. Snigging away a ball thrown up by John Mullane in the 2008 All-Ireland final was this man’s art in summary form. Started with Kilkenny as a minor in 1995 . . .”

Henry Shefflin: “ . . . A pall descended over the county when news broke of his knee injury . . .”

Niall Walsh: “One of Kilkenny’s deep south men and the first senior panellist from Slieverue in a fair stretch of years.”