Brian Cody has insisted that to “scapegoat” Richie Hogan for Kilkenny’s All-Ireland final defeat to Tipperary would be an “outrageous” thing to do.

Who’s it going to be then, eh?

“Do you reckon this will be Cody’s last year, Enda?”

Ten years ago the Late Late Show did a special edition marking 125 years of the GAA. It was presented by Pat Kenny. The expectations of most GAA folk were not high beforehand. The expectations were justified.

Former Tipperary manager Michael Ryan has warned those who think the county got the easier All-Ireland semi-final tie that Wexford probably feel the same.

Not for the first time, an equine metaphor by way of setting the table.

Two games, two wins. For 4-58, Against 1-42. Average winning margin 12.5 points.

After the same county lifted the MacCarthy Cup on seven occasions in the noughties, the decade that followed was always going to be more democratic.

John Meyler has challenged Cork’s players to win the All-Ireland title that will ensure their team-mate Pat Horgan goes down in the annals of hurling history.

Pet Peeve Corner: the GAA and statistics.

Tipperary legend Nicky English says it’s possible Limerick could ‘fly through’ the entire championship but he will reserve judgement until he sees if they’ve got the energy for a successful All-Ireland defence.

They once were kings, these two houses both alike in dignity. They had heavy artillery and high explosive and machine guns and sniper rifles and famous generals and crack marksmen and plentiful reserves.

When Henry Shefflin talked up Limerick’s All-Ireland credentials earlier this week, he kept referencing the spine of their team.

Carlow attacker Marty Kavanagh reckons a single win could be enough to preserve their Leinster SHC status and admitted they’re targeting the Dublin game in particular.

Ran into an acquaintance this day last week. “Off to Croke Park tomorrow, I suppose?” he enquired.

Waterford midfielder Jamie Barron has challenged his colleagues to cast off their nearly men status and to start delivering in major finals.

Today readers will be renewing acquaintance with Pat, who’s appeared on these pages before.

Clare legend Anthony Daly says the decision to grant Waterford home advantage for their Munster SHC games this summer has blown the provincial championship “wide open”.

The Irish women’s hockey team captured the imagination of the public with their run to the World Cup final in London. Gillian Pinder, the penalty hero in their semi-final win over Spain — provides the definitive inside story of the team of the year. She spoke with Kieran Shannon.

We have, in the words of a certain bad footballer from Monaghan, lived in important places, times when great events were decided, writes Enda McEvoy

DUBLIN 2-24 OFFALY 0-13: On the darkest of days for Offaly hurling, not even Our Lady of Consolation church next to Parnell Park could offer any sort of silver lining.

Former Wexford captain Damien Fitzhenry says they must win the Leinster Championship this summer, or at least push hard in the All-Ireland series, to claim they’ve made progress.

What kind of game are Tipperary trying to prosecute, asks Enda McEvoy.

All-Ireland winning Tipperary captain Brendan Maher has admitted he was partly to blame for pushing his team-mates too hard last year.

Here are some things that shouldn’t work but somehow do. Dancing with the Stars. Daniel and Majella roaming the highways and byways of Ireland channelling their inner Jack Kerouac. Chocolate with raspberry. The Trump White House (Loosely speaking).

David Burke will bid to play himself into the annals of Galway GAA after it was confirmed he will continue as captain of the hurlers as they try to retain the All-Ireland title.

Strength in depth will be crucial in deciding the outcome of the 2018 All-Ireland hurling championship, Brian Cody predicted yesterday.

Enda McEvoy is the first to ask ... Who’ll win the 2018 All-Ireland? 

And so, yet again, we return to Ger Loughnane and the 1997 Munster final, borne back ceaselessly into the past like those boats of Fitzgerald’s.

Enda McEvoy examines five lessons to take from the weekend’s action on Leeside...

Rebels are realistic MacCarthy Cup contenders

Two memories from the night of the 2005 All Stars. The Fat Frogs and my hot date.

By 12.30 car after car bearing purple and gold flags had already been inserted into the nooks and crannies along Richmond Road, the tinfoil was being unwrapped from the sandwiches and the tops were coming off the bottles. A tailgate party, Wexican-style.

So what will you be discussing with your circle of intimates tonight in your local, assuming you have a Saturday-night local and a discussion group? Screenshots and the latest rumours coming out of Tipp, perhaps?

Former All-Ireland winning Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy has admitted that the county isn’t much good at holding onto titles and that there are “scars” attached to their poor record.

The last time Kilkenny retained the All Ireland, Enda Kenny was Taoiseach. The last time Cork retained the All Ireland, Bertie Ahern was Taoiseach. The last time Galway retained the All Ireland, CJ Haughey was Taoiseach. The last time Tipperary retained the All- Ireland, Brian Boru was Taoiseach.