We’ve beaten the best in the Six Nations — now it’s time to be world beaters.

Pauric Mahony held fragile hope in his hands. Kilkenny and Waterford stood, battle-weary, on the cusp of the All-Ireland final last year when Mahony faced a last-minute free. His delivery was answering prayers until Eoin Murphy reached above the Kilkenny crossbar to pluck it from the sky. And hope melted away in the Déise camp.

Johnny Doyle’s retirement from inter-county football leaves a huge void in the Kildare squad.