Brian Cody is no stranger to the demands of intercounty management, and now he takes on two teams at the same time – albeit in the form of the touring All Star hurling selections.
Both the 2012 and 2013 selections set out for Shanghai later today, and on Saturday will play the first official game of hurling in China – the venue, somewhat ironically, being the Shanghai Rugby Football Club.
Cody was to only take charge of the 2012 team, which includes just three of Kilkenny's All-Ireland winners from that year: but with Clare's 2013 All-Ireland winning manager Davy Fitzgerald unable to travel, Cody will take charge of both sides.
Opted out
Fitzgerald is not the only one to miss out: three of Clare's 2013 All Stars – forwards Podge Collins and Conor McGrath and midfielder Conor Ryan– have also opted out to play with Cratloe, who face Killarney giants Dr Crokes in Sunday's Munsterclub football final at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.
Brendan Bugler, who received awards in both 2012 and 2013, and who has also appeared in the later rounds of the club championship with Cratloe, has, however, decided to travel.
Dublin forward Danny Sutcliffe has also opted out, and will be replaced by Joey Boland, while Peter Kelly and Liam Rushe will feature with the 2013 team.
To mark the event in Shanghai, the GAA's Asian county board will also host a North Asia versus South Asia challenge hurling game.
The GAA have also launched their Off the Booze & On the Ball challenge, for a third year. Visit www.gaa.ie/thechallenge for more details and to register.
