In hurling there’s a cycle every 20 years or so in the middle section of the decade. “New teams” surface and hold sway until they fade and the big guns boom again.

Apart from the early stages, Limerick played second fiddle to a well-drilled Cork outfit in the first-half but took over after the break, with their defence on top for the crucial last ten minutes.

If Clare get into a rhythm they are difficult to contain, as Laois found last Saturday in Cusack Park

Many question marks surrounded both teams before the Leinster hurling final.

The second half decided this contest in Nowlan Park.

On top for so long, has the wheel finally turned for Kilkenny’s hurlers? All will be revealed by 9pm tonight. They established a hurling empire but great empires decay from within.

1. There was an extremely strong breeze blowing towards the city goal in Limerick yesterday.

Underdogs must adopt a radical approach to have any chance of victory.

1. Limerick react to Tipp goal.

Work-rate and quality of Limerick’s delivery will dictate their chances