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).

Cork 0-21 - Waterford 1-13: So, Cork remain in Division 1A and Waterford are relegated to the second tier. A springtime of false dawns and second comings came to some sort of crescendo in the snow flurries and foot-stampings and hand-rubbings in Páirc Uí Rinn yesterday, where the home side’s tús maith was bookended by a críoch maith.

The auditions continue.

In exactly two weeks’ time the 2018 Australian Rules (AFL) season begins with Richmond playing Carlton at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, writes Jack Anderson.

John Meyler isn’t underplaying the significance of tonight’s League opener for a minute.

Elsewhere, Kilkenny are not merely in transition but rebuilding, writes Enda McEvoy.

New Wexford hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald was the unanimous choice of the six-person committee charged with finding the Model County’s next boss, and has been set a target of achieving promotion from Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

Concerns at Limerick’s defeat by Dublin in the All-Ireland senior hurling qualifiers on Saturday were expressed at the monthly County Board meeting in Claughaun last night.

A defiant Davy Fitzgerald claimed Clare were too good to be relegated and were the better team in Nowlan Park yesterday.

Jimmy Barry-Murphy can expect his Cork side to face a tough task against Wexford.

Clare are primed for a serious assault on the Allianz NHL Division 1 title according to legendary Waterford figure Ken McGrath.

In the movie version of No Country For Old Men, a sheriff and his deputy come across the aftermath of a massacre in the Texas badlands.

There are positive signs for the Déise from the early Division 1A form

This morning, GAA director general Páraic Duffy delivers his sixth and possibly penultimate annual report.

Wexford hurling boss Liam Dunne blames Cork counterpart Jimmy Barry-Murphy for the furore which surrounded the proposed changes to the National Hurling League.

GAA chiefs have confirmed major changes to the format of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers next year.

The integrity of next year’s National Hurling League has been further called into question by an anomaly in Division 1B.

It was Winston Churchill who once said “the best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter”.

The National Hurling League row could yet rumble on past Saturday’s Central Council meeting after Dublin raised doubts about the legitimacy of the new proposal.

Sometimes you have to wonder if there’s anything that can be agreed on in the GAA. Signing off on something is no guarantee it is binding.

GAA president Liam O’Neill says Dublin’s new multimillion sponsorship deal may change the way the Association funds county boards.

Carlow and Westmeath have drawn up an alternative National Hurling League proposal for consideration ahead of next month’s Central Council meeting.

Wexford hurler Rory Jacob has backed his county board’s threat to legally challenge the new league proposals should they be passed by Central Council tomorrow.

Limerick’s Gavin O’Mahony has welcomed the new league proposals as the “lucky break” the county might finally catch should they be backed at Saturday’s Central Council meeting.

Cork GAA chiefs last night rejected Wexford claims that they had instigated the proposed changes to the Allianz Hurling League for the 2014 season.

Limerick GAA chiefs have confirmed they will attempt to lead another campaign to change the structure of the National Hurling League.

Central Council delegates have voiced anger at suggestions they are out of touch with their county boards in regard to the structure of the National Hurling League.

Tipperary chief Sean Nugent has insisted the GAA must revisit their controversial sideline regulations.

SATURDAY

Kilkenny boss Brian Cody is facing an injury crisis as the National Hurling League approaches, he revealed yesterday.

The Derry County Board have announced that Ger Rogan has been appointed as the county's new senior and Under-21 hurling manager.

LUKE DEMPSEY is planning without three of Carlow’s brightest dual stars for his county senior football panel next year.

LOWER-TIER hurling counties have hit out against GAA proposals to end their spring participation in the league in favour of regional club competitions.

Donal O'Grady has moved one step closer to being confirmed as the new Limerick senior hurling manager, following a meeting of the Limerick GAA Executive tonight at the Gaelic Grounds.

Senior inter-county hurling’s current longest servant Tony Browne of Waterford and Kildare football protagonist Eamonn Callaghan were today honoured with the Vodafone GAA Players of the Month awards for July, at an awards ceremony in Dublin.

JUSTIN McCARTHY has extended the hand of friendship to his exiled Limerick hurlers.

WHOEVER SAID a little learning was a dangerous thing wasn’t thinking of the National Hurling League.

WHAT an outstanding advert for the National Hurling League this was.

WEAKER hurling counties have reacted strongly to comments from GAA Director General Páraic Duffy questioning the value of the National Hurling League to those competing in the Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher Cups.

WEXFORD boss Colm Bonnar is concerned his charges will be playing at a lower level in the National Hurling League again this season.

LIMERICK senior hurling manager Justin McCarthy is facing a New Year of crisis as four more players have walked away from his severely depleted squad.

BABS KEATING has called for the National Hurling League to be pushed back until after St Patrick’s Day with the competition to conclude in early summer.