If it sounds like Derek McGrath is treating success like an imposter, you will understand.

Just the mention of Cork-Waterford in Thurles and Paul Flynn’s name and magic soon springs to mind. No other player did more to shape one of hurling’s most thrilling rivalries and one of its most universally-loved teams.

Having been rejected once for being too small, Clare’s Podge Collins made one vow — if he wasn’t going to catch ball above lads’ heads, he wasn’t going to get pushed off it either. The season he doesn’t want to end takes another twist today with Cratloe in a Clare football final.

The steep slopes by Carriganore, on the way into Waterford city, are an odd place to recognise the end of your sporting career.

Whenever I think of Seán Óg Ó hAilpín’s many superlative achievements — the journey from Fiji to Cork to the most coveted steps in Croke Park, the All Stars and All-Irelands won and captained, the transformation into corporate gold and cultural icon who transcended the game — it’s his disciplinary record that impresses us as much as anything.

MAYBE going ahead with the game was the wrong thing.

THE end borrowed something from the beginning. Ken McGrath was in his shop this week when the phone rang. On the line — one Raymie Ryan, the Tipp back who marked McGrath on his intercounty debut 15 years ago.

Michael Moynihan pays tribute to Waterford legend Ken McGrath on his retirement from inter-county hurling

LAST year’s All-Ireland winning captain Darran O’Sullivan has been drafted into the Kerry team for Sunday’s Munster SFC final against Limerick, in the only change made by manager Jack O’Connor from the team that defeated Cork in the Munster semi-final replay.

KILMURRY-IBRICKANE (Clare) 0-9 STRADBALLY (Waterford) 0-6

THE GAA must look at changing its calendar to ensure that the All-Ireland club championships are concluded in the first week of December if it is serious about tackling burnout.

LIMERICK footballer John Galvin has urged his hurling counterparts to make it a Shannonside double act in the Munster championship finals.

JOE Canning’s cracking penalty nine days ago in Thurles against Cork set us to considering a basic argument: who has the hardest shot in hurling?

IT COMES from a Greta Garbo film. I can’t remember what it’s called, or even the context, but at one stage, in a moment of high drama, Garbo herself screams: “Bombs may fall . . . civilisations may crumble . . . but give us our moment!”

John Allen has decided to resign as Cork's senior hurling manager, just over two weeks after the Rebels' All-Ireland SHC final defeat to Kilkenny.

Kilkenny 1-16 Cork 1-13

Brian Corcoran has seen it all - an All-Ireland minor football winner in 1991 and a three-time Liam McCarthy Cup champion - but despite his advancing years, the Erin's Own forward is still a vital cog in the Cork machine.

Waterford will without their top scorer and team captain when they take on All-Ireland champions Cork in Sunday’s SHC semi-final at Croke Park (throw-in 4pm).

Cork manager John Allen has named an unchanged team for Sunday's All-Ireland SHC semi-final against Munster rivals Waterford (Croke Park, throw-in 4pm).

SEVEN times they have played there in the Guinness All-Ireland Hurling Championship in the last eight years, but only once had Waterford been successful up to a fortnight ago against Tipp.