Four years’ work comes down to this for Daly’s Dubs

Since the provincial hurling championship draws were made, every hurling fan worthy of the name has had this date pencilled into the diary.

True, Dublin had to get over a Leinster quarter-final but that was never in doubt and they duly hammered Laois off the park a few weeks ago.

And yes, there was also a league to be played and Kilkenny duly confirmed their continuing rude health with yet another title (their sixth in the Cody era and please, let no one underestimate the significance of those wins), while injury-hit Dublin were relegated.