Brian Cody steps down at James Stephens after shock relegation

Former Kilkenny manager Brian Cody will be replaced in the James Stephens hot seat by Eoin Larkin

The 70-year-old went straight to his club James Stephens as a selector that September and took over as manager in 2023.

Stephens reached the Kilkenny SHC semi-finals in his first year in charge. But they were relegated from the senior championship for the first time in 69 years this October, losing to Ballyhale Shamrocks in the first round and Glenmore in the relegation play-off.

Eoin Larkin will replace Cody at the helm after joining his backroom team at the start of the year. Larkin's former Kilkenny teammate Jackie Tyrrell will join the new backroom team in his first managerial role since retiring in 2016.

Larkin won eight All-Ireland's under Cody for Kilkenny, and captained the team in 2012 before also hanging up his boots in 2016.

Before joining up with Cody earlier in the year, he said: "It’s early days because the Kilkenny championship does not get going until August. But my intention when I got into coaching was to go back to the club.

"I just didn’t think it was going to happen so soon. But when Brian Cody comes calling and wants you to get involved, there’s only one answer. I was delighted to get involved and I’m sure I’ll learn loads from Brian.

"I get on very well with him and have done since I was in primary school. The hunger he has for it is insatiable. And if he wasn’t with the senior team he’d be at every game from Under-14 to adult level.

"He’s a club man and just gives it everything. He doesn’t take or want any praise. Everything is about the club. It’s a great thing for younger people to see as well, that he still stays so grounded. It’s great to see and it’s great for our club that he’s a James Stephens man. Long may it continue."