We are a week into Munster Championship Lent. The 40 days and 40 nights before the start of the Munster SHC on May 12 commenced last Tuesday.

Last Sunday, the Thurles version of Hawk-Eye was, regrettably, at it again.

I’m led to believe Stephen Cluxton had blood in his mouth following that first-half clash with James McGivney, so the conspiracy theorists won’t be happy.

At the finish, Michael Ryan and his three selectors stayed on the sideline where they had stood all day, heads bowed, surveying the death of a season.

Tipperary 1-21 Clare 1-23

It might be 15 years on from Clare’s last Championship win over Tipperary, but the trauma stays with Brian O’Meara.

Was last weekend’s hurling a tale of two flicks?

Tipperary manager Michael Ryan admits his side “have not found our rhythm” but is confident of turning things around.

Limerick 1-23 Tipperary 2-14: After giving a post-match TV interview, Limerick captain Declan Hannon was jumped on by a group of celebrating supporters.

Eoin Kelly has identified Tipperary’s Munster championship opener with Limerick as a decisive game in their overall campaign, claiming it could make or break their entire summer.

Tomorrow marks the 10th national final in 10 years between Kilkenny and Tipperary, writes Enda McEvoy

The auditions continue.

Ballygunner came out on top in this epic Munster club SHC quarter-final at Walsh Park after extra time.

There were three county hurling finals and four county football finals played around the country today.

Here’s the lowdown on today’s seven games...

Tributes have been paid to Kevin Casey, the sports editor of Waterford radio station WLR FM, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 40. The award-winning presenter died after a short illness.

The unexpected death of popular radio presenter Billy McCarthy “silenced a familiar voice” that had brought news and debate, light and meaning, and engagement and fun to thousands of people over many years, his funeral Mass heard yesterday.

Waterford radio star Billy McCarthy has died following a “short and sudden illness”, local station WLR FM announced today.

Imokilly 3-20 UCC 1-11: Séamus Harnedy starred as Imokilly put together a fine all-round performance to better UCC at Riverstown in the opening round of the Cork SHC last night.

Sean Curran was the toast of Mullinahone after his goal from a penalty in injury-time ensured victory over Éire Óg Nenagh 2-13 to 0-17 in Templemore.

Thurles Sarsfields 1-18 Nenagh Éire Óg 3-11 (Tipperary SHC final): Thurles will wake up alongside a familiar bedfellow in the Dan Breen Cup this morning but boy did they cut this one fine.

Tipperary SHC

Match of the day in a busy weekend of divisional senior hurling championship games was the Mid Tipp clash of county champions, Thurles Sarsfields and divisional title-holders, Drom-Inch at Holycross yesterday.

Missing the All-Ireland final was never an option for Seán Morrissey. The cast and ensuing four-week recovery would have to wait.

Thurles CBS 0-18 St Peter’s College 1-12:

St Francis College, Rochestown 1-12 Thurles CBS 2-12:

Dr Harty Cup quarter-final

While there has been a steady flow of ‘post-Springsteen’ bands over the past decade, few have transcended mere hero worship of the New Jersey icon.

Cratloe (Clare) 1-18 Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 0-14

Thurles CBS 5-26 St Flannan’s College, Ennis 0-06

I’m happier with wide-open space as a horizon.

East Cork is getting a flavour of the Far East as students are becoming proficient in Chinese.

A FORMER producer with WLR FM in Waterford has been awarded more than €11,500 for being unfairly sacked after she chose to stand in local elections.

THE WOMAN had rung the radio show from Cappoquin. There was gloom in west Waterford with the proposed liquidation of the local chicken processing plant, but the lady on the line was having none of it.

THE ORGANISERS of a protest over service charges have denied they acted like a “mob” on Tuesday night.

A LOCAL election candidate who spent close to €13,000 on his last campaign says he has not been put off politics after failing to win a seat.