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.

BEFORE I go into the match analysis, I want to comment on the admission price to get into Semple Stadium yesterday — €20.

THIS was a day that highlighted the beauty of the club championship.

This was the first time in my long association with the Irish Examiner I had predicted a draw in a game, and, for a while, as the game was coming to a conclusion, it was beginning to look like I might be proved right.

THE greatest sign of any game is when you see people hanging around long after the final whistle, talking about what they had just witnessed.

I HEARD a conversation in Croke Park yesterday between a Dublin fan and a Kilkenny man.