Heroic Championship displays aren’t all about getting off to a good start; often they’re about getting over a bad one

It was a different world twenty years ago. Most counties knew their place in the GAA’s hierarchy.

This day last year they couldn’t do without him. Leo Cullen couldn’t anyhow.

Last summer at a sports conference in Liverpool’s John Moores University, Chelsea’s director of football operations, Mike Forde, recounted a conversation he had with Billy Beane of Moneyball fame.

It’s 4.52am on a Monday morning and while you’re asleep she’s going to work.

Under Cody it’s as if they think more like Corkmen than Corkmen themselves.

Jamie Coughlan felt like as if they could keep running forever.

So, Liam O’Neill thinks Gaelic football isn’t “boring” after all.

For years they’ve been the most identifiable players with hurling’s most recognised counties.

And then there was just one — if Ronan Clarke gets back at all.