A shot at Tipperary should provide plenty of motivation

I strolled down to the square in Thurles before the match yesterday, expecting to meet the supporters from both sides, have the usual bit of craic. The only crowd I met was coming out of Mass.

Munster championship time is finally here again, and finally also, championship weather. I can hardly believe my eyes!

Nowlan Park was the ideal venue for yesterday’s League final.

I’m relishing tomorrow’s clash of Kilkenny and Tipperary, the two standout teams of recent years.

The big thing question I have ahead of tomorrow’s National League hurling semi-finals is who wants to win the competition the most this year?

While lesser lights will be hoping to get back in the big time, Cork and Clare are fighting to stay there

Before I go into a round-up of this year’s Allianz Hurling League, I’d like to comment on events in Nowlan Park yesterday — great to see the physicality, from both teams, and easy to see there was a lot at stake.

This is the most exciting National League I can remember in any format.

Coming into this game I gave Clare a great chance to win for two reasons: I didn’t think Kilkenny were impressive against either Tipperary, Galway or even in their win against Waterford; Kilkenny were missing so many front-line players.