Claire Phelan: Brian Cody's winning teams inspired Kilkenny camogie success

The stage is set for the last of the big four finals on Sunday.

Kilkenny take on Cork in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland senior camogie decider (Live on RTÉ2 from 4pm) hoping to regain the crown they last won in 2020.

But the build-up in the county has been overshadowed a little by the departure of hurling's longest serving manager Brian Cody, who stepped away after 24 seasons in the hot seat.

Cats defender Claire Phelan was at the men's All-Ireland battling final defeat to Limerick - "we're hugely proud of them" - and his departure was announced shortly before the women's semi-final dethroning of Galway.

Phelan believes that the success of the county under Cody also helped to inspire a new generation of camogie players.

Kilkenny went seven years without contesting a final from 2002-2008 but have since appeared in eight of the last 13.

"We were surprised," the Lisdowney woman told RTÉ Sport. "Brian Cody made our childhoods for a lot of us, we got to experience September every year and All-Irelands nearly, which is something special.

"It's nearly why Kilkenny hurling and camogie is as good as it is, because young kids were growing up with that All-Ireland every year nearly, which was amazing.

"I know there is a good list of candidates there for it and I have no doubt the best man will be put in the job and hopefully will go on and do as good as Brian Cody did."

Only Kilkenny, Cork and Galway have appeared in a camogie decider over the last decade so the finalists are well acquainted.

The Rebels were one-point victors in last year's semi-final, the Cats had two to spare in the last four in 2020. Cork won the finals of 2017 and '18, Kilkenny in 2016.

"There have been plenty of them [meetings] over the last few years," said Phelan.