Heroic Championship displays aren’t all about getting off to a good start; often they’re about getting over a bad one

BACK a couple of years ago, when that ‘If Teams Were a Pop Star/Item of Clothing/Car’ concept beloved of newspaper sports sections was at its height, someone — it might even have been yours truly — declared that if Kilkenny were a film character they’d be The Terminator.

The touring party for the 2009 GAA Hurling All-Stars, sponsored by Vodafone, has been confirmed, with a spread of hurlers from eight counties added as replacements.