Of all the seasons where the world’s most prominent Arsenal fan could have shuffled off the mortal coil the queen chose this one, simultaneously the longest and the most cramped

Limerick’s campaign will eventually become a module on further-education courses. It was a triumph of strategy, tactics, planning, logistics, the works. After a 2021 championship of four outings they had to gear themselves for a 2022 championship of seven outings.

No frigid December afternoon in an empty, sterile house, this, nor even a half-full Croke Park in August. Here instead was the day John Kiely’s Limerick were created, moulded, honed and Kinnerked for.

Limerick saw off a seasonal-high performance from Clare and a seasonal-high performance from Galway whereas Kilkenny beat an awful Galway and an awfuler Clare. Patently a far stronger line of form

If Shefflin didn’t already know what he was letting himself in for he does now. We’re not in Ballyhale, any more, Toto.

The Cats will die with their boots on tonight and it may be enough. That, however, is only part of it

Seamus Harnedy hurled here like a cavalry commander with sword aloft on a prancing white charger, and was a splendidly old-fashioned effort

Waterford’s half-back line is the launchpad for their battleplan. If Cork don’t match them in this department then the locals will create overlaps till the cows come home.

On the eve of the championship we looked for teams who might undo Limerick. Two rounds in we’re already looking for divine intervention

It is no leap to view next Sunday as a dry run for the Leinster final. In the event of a Galway defeat the blowback for Shefflin will be negligible. In the event of a Kilkenny defeat the blowback for Cody will not be negligible but it will be temporary. By 9pm on June 4th we’ll know a good deal more about Shefflin the manager.