After a very lukewarm League opener between Clare and Kilkenny at Semple Stadium yesterday, we expected things would come to the boil when Munster’s arch-rivals clashed in the second game.

The scoring won’t be as high this week. We’re going to see more lowering of the blades

I’VE been saying in recent weeks that this league was almost a non-contact sport but that all changed in the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday night.

If you wanted to see hurling played at its most precise, with massive skill and accuracy, fantastic scores, then Thurles yesterday was the place to be.

We all know about Cork and the sunshine, the effect it has on their hurling.

It is a pity that on a weekend of so many hugely important games, off-field activities once again grab the headlines.

This was the best club final I’ve seen since the All-Ireland final was moved to Croke Park in the mid 80s.

Three big games in the top division of the league this weekend, one or two in Division 2B, and I really hope people turn out in their droves.

Where do Kilkenny get their hunger?

We had the launch of the new Hurling Development Plan last week, and it was nice to hear Liam O’Neill, the incoming GAA president, talking about growing the game nationwide.