WHAT were the Leinster Council thinking when they fixed this game for 7pm on a Saturday evening in Kilkenny?

A FANTASTIC league final in Thurles yesterday, and great credit to the players on both teams for that, but the first people I want to talk about here are the Galway management team of John McIntyre, John Moylan, John Hardiman and Joe Connolly.

IT’S always been said that the National League is a secondary competition; well now we know that is true.

FOR the second year in a row we end up with a situation where the last round of the league is more or less meaningless, everything decided bar who is to be relegated.

I WAS in Páirc Uí Chaoim hearly for this match yester-day, and as the music played, a rich selection of Cork songs, the thought struck me – is this the only county in Ireland where the people are homesick even when they’re at home?

THE most significant thing for me about this year’s league is the high scoring.

THE two most important games this weekend, as far as the final stages of the league is concerned, are Kilkenny against Galway and Tipperary’s clash with Waterford.

THERE are a number of interesting games again this week. Offaly and Galway is a big one for both counties, Dublin and Kilkenny likewise, since both have lost twice; Tipp and Limerick is an interesting tie but only for the latter, and we all know why.

HOW did Portumna change so much from their last three appearances in Croke Park?

AT this time of year, most clubs in the country, whatever their grade, are in serious training for their upcoming county championships. But any of those worth their salt are also thinking of All-Ireland finals.