By last Sunday morning, my voice was creaking, writes Anthony Daly

By last Sunday morning, my voice was creaking, writes Anthony Daly

It was sometime around 4am on the Sunday morning of the 1980 All-Ireland final when Sean Silke was jolted from his sleep.

On the evening of the Clare-Wexford game two weeks ago, I left Cork and headed straight to Whitegate, the last outpost in east Clare, right on the Galway border.

Most hurling matches are a result.

Cyril Farrell has tipped Joe Canning to win hurler of the year — but believes Galway’s Gearóid McInerney should have been one of the three players nominated.

I’m taking up golf. There is no more palatable way of saying it.

Joe Canning has seen — and heard — it all by now.

Celebrating league titles are all the rage these days. Kerry’s footballers lost themselves for a minute or two on the Croke Park pitch before there was a collective realisation that it was early April. 

By his own admission, Galway’s 1980 Liam MacCarthy-winning captain Joe Connolly only played one game of football in his life. 

You couldn’t call it a rivalry.

On the law of averages, Galway are due a win against Kilkenny tomorrow. Scrap that; on that law of averages Galway are overdue a win against Kilkenny tomorrow.

Kilkenny find themselves in a parallel universe this Saturday evening. But for training, they don’t do floodlights.

Getting to know Daniel Goulding.

Galway officials were locked in conclave last night in a bid to resolve the impasse between hurling manager Anthony Cunningham and leading members of his team.

Anthony Cunningham looks set to stay on as Galway manager for a fifth year despite reports of a player vote of no confidence in him.

Jason Flynn was reared on tales from the 80s; nothing but stories to cling to as he hurled countless All-Ireland finals against the gable end above in Ballinakill.

After the full Irish breakfast and early morning mass in their Dublin hotel, Cyril Farrell would insist on a quick trip out to the Phoenix Park to allow his Galway hurlers limber out.

All-Ireland fever grips community as local hero Jason Flynn prepares for battle with Kilkenny

The most decorated manager in Galway hurling history believes Daithí Burke is the defender to tie down Kilkenny talisman Richie Hogan.

Anthony Cunningham’s deep-rooted belief that there is an All-Ireland hurling title in this Galway team motivated his decision to seek a fourth year at the helm.

Damian Curley didn’t take offence to PM O’Sullivan’s description of the Galway hurlers as ‘chokers’.

Matters to be resolved.

Joe Brolly has hit back strongly at GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail’s criticisms of The Sunday Game, saying the association wants “Rose of Tralee coverage”.

Kilkenny v Waterford

This ride on the white and blue merry-go-round. Where is it going to end? When are Waterford actually going to lose a match?

The departure of Tommy Walsh from the inter-county stage means we won’t see that red helmet blaze through a thicket having won a puck-out.

With Michael Duignan espousing the view that the game has never been in a better state and Donal Óg Cusack suggesting the quality has almost doubled in the two years since he’s left the scene, this year’s All-Ireland championship was another year to saviour.

Check out our spolier-free guide to what to watch on TV tonight.

Out of bed at seven.