One thing that struck me on the way to Croke Park yesterday, the number of Galway supporters around the place.

You can’t start anywhere else but Galway today and their aggression.

There are two very good reasons why Cork can count themselves lucky to be in an All-Ireland semi-final today.

Looking at the first half of this game, what Kilkenny reminded me of more than anything else was a man after a very late night, a big feed of drink, and suffering the mother of all hangovers.

The second game taking place in Thurles tomorrow offers something of an unknown element.

I’ve been going back over the records and I make it that Cork and Waterford have met 11 times in the championship since 2000.

A big thank-you again to Mark Fletcher, Ger, Francie and the Roscrea mafia who kept our appointment in Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.

I took two things from Thurles on Saturday.

Never mind all the other action today and tomorrow, this is the real big game of the weekend and it has a real story behind it in Tony Browne.

Given all the bad weather this week, I wonder are there a few nervous people in the GAA today about the three games in Thurles?