At 23, Cha' Fitzpatrick captained Kilkenny to their first ever three-in-a-row ("in 1976, it couldn't be done, in 1984, it couldn't be done, in 1994, it couldn't be done..." etc, etc).
Three years later, he had quit the inter-county scene, releasing an accompanying statement in which he took a clear swipe at Brian Cody for not giving him a chance that season.
"No matter what I did in training last season, no matter how well I played, it didn’t seem like I was going to get a go at all. If I was going to come back next year I would find the motivation very hard because deep down inside no matter what I did in training I didn’t think I was going to be picked."
There were also a few words lamenting hurling's current adoration of speed and fitness over skill and vision.
We can safely assume that Cha' does not feel obliged to adhere to any omerta, assuming one exists, around what goes on in Kilkenny.
This week, he gave an interview to Sportstalk.ie about the Kilkenny setup. There is little enough bitterness in his tone or his answers. But his answers are disarmingly honest.
He said that some of the players probably feel a bit afraid of Cody, admitted that he would probably be remembered more for walking away than captaining the team in 2008, and also acknowledged the jersey puller phenomenon after an All-Ireland win.
He suggested that there was a time that Kilkenny probably would have won All-Irelands under any manager, although in recent years, the calibre of player doesn't seem to be at the same level but they're still winning. Cody, he says, has to take credit for this.
He says there are two different Brian Codys.
Away from hurling, he's actually a really nice guy. There's a different aura about him. He's more relaxed, he's chilled, he'd do any favour he could for you. I wouldn't know him that well but I just know from talking to him and stuff.
But when it comes to being a manager, he's very ruthless, cold-blooded, doesn't make friends with anyone. I suppose you have to do that to make the hard calls.
Even on team holidays and stuff, he'd just completely avoid the players and go off on his own thing. On sport, he treats it as a business. And to succeed you have to be prepared to do those things...
I'd say if you ask the players, they're actually afraid of him. There's a fear there. And you can understand that because when it comes to championship time, everyone wants to be on the team and who decides that only Brian Cody.
So every move you make on the training ground, you were always under pressure to please this manager.
He also admitted that Kilkenny's success had gotten a little bit boring.
Yes, it's a little bit like Groundhog Day. I find it similar to Dublin winning the Leinster football title. It is a little boring. It's not Kilkenny's fault. It's up to the other counties to raise the bar. I don't know what the solution. Maybe scrap the Leinster championship, maybe scrap the Munster championship. Or move to a Champions League format. I don't know what the solution is. It is a little bit repetitive.
