John Doyle, not long before he passed away in December 2010, made an intriguing remark about 21st-century hurling.

Want a slightly different take on the Leinster final? Here goes. Galway weren’t as bad as we thought they were. Really. Please don’t all laugh at once.

I was walking out by Barry’s Hotel after yesterday’s All-Ireland semi-final when I came across a group of Waterford supporters, broken up and beaten down by the result.

Your name is Derek McGrath. You are not the referee but the manager.

When Galway manager Micheál Donoghue sits down to review the DVD of the Leinster final, he should concentrate on the 10-minute period after half-time. 

Kilkenny 1-26 Galway 0-22: Death, taxes and strong second-half performances from Kilkenny, each as inevitable as the other and all utterly impossible to repel.

On the law of averages, Galway are due a win against Kilkenny tomorrow. Scrap that; on that law of averages Galway are overdue a win against Kilkenny tomorrow.

A thundering start to the second half in O’Moore Park sent Kilkenny on their way to a third straight Leinster final.

Allianz Hurling Division 1 final: For all the niceties exchanged between Davy Fitzgerald and Derek McGrath since their semi-final wins, there is still a level of uneasiness between the camps.

Clare 4-22 Kilkenny 2-19: And the hits just keep on coming.

Kilkenny 6-20 Offaly 0-14: Ger Loughnane probably hasn’t changed his mind just yet, but Kilkenny’s players at least left the Clare legend with a little something to think about at Nowlan Park.

TJ Reid says the Kilkenny attack will need as many as three new faces to take the mantle left by this season’s absentees.

Brian Cody has made four changes to the Kilkenny side for today’s Allianz Hurling League Division 1A clash with Tipperary in Nowlan Park (throw-in 2pm).

CORK 4-18 KILKENNY  3-21: Brian Cody does not believe Kilkenny’s championship efforts will be hindered by the 11-week layoff leading into their Leinster opener.

Henry Shefflin has revealed it was Brian Cody who encouraged him to successfully contest his red card against Cork in 2013.

Kilkenny 2-20 Clare 2-19

Thank goodness for Eoin Kelly; a common refrain among Tipp folk this past decade and a prayer heartfully offered up this morning by your correspondent.

Stephen Cluxton is among six changes to the Dublin side for tonight’s Allianz Football League Division 1 clash with Tyrone in Croke Park (7pm).

Galway hurling manager Anthony Cunningham has stirred the pot ahead of Kilkenny’s visit west on Sunday, accusing Brian Cody’s charges of complacency in their league defeat to Dublin.

Tipperary last week and now Kilkenny.

Towards the end, as Kilkenny began to fashion what would have been a comeback of ridiculous proportions, thoughts turned to 2012, when Dublin scored six goals here in Nowlan Park and still lost, thanks to the concession of three late goals.

Dublin, who saw off Tipperary at home last week, served further notice of their intentions this year with a six-point defeat of All-Ireland champions Kilkenny at Nowlan Park this afternoon.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A: Cork 2-17 Kilkenny 1-22: The names may change, but the work-rate stays the same.

Manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy offered no excuses in his post-match analysis after Cork were overpowered by Kilkenny in the Allianz NHL Division 1A opener at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night.

A crisp game on a chilly St Valentine’s evening at Pairc Ui Rinn kindled towards the end, with Cork scrambling two goals to put visitors Kilkenny under pressure.

Kilkenny are nowhere full strength to tackle Cork in the Allianz NHL Division 1 opener at Páirc Uí Rinn but to suggest the defending league champions are relegation material will surely prove to be well wide of the mark.

Jimmy Barry-Murphy has kept faith with the Cork side that bowed out of last year’s Championship by reinstating all but three of them for tomorrow’s Allianz League opener.

Kilkenny hurling legend Eddie Keher says it was imperative manager Brian Cody unearthed a host of fresh talent this spring, claiming a shortcoming in panel strength played a significant role in the county’s premature exit from the 2013 championship.

Kilkenny and Galway both come into this afternoon’s national league semi-final hoping to continue their rebuilding process having endured traumatic championship exits last year.

Richie Power is one of four changes to the Kilkenny side for tomorrow’s Allianz Hurling League Division 1 quarter-final away to Wexford (3.30pm).

Kilkenny 4-22 Waterford 0-14

Kilkenny 2-16 Galway 1-16

KILKENNY 2-16 GALWAY 1-16

Manager Brian Cody insisted his Kilkenny panel can take some positives out of yesterday's Division 1A opener against Clare, despite being pipped by a point in Ennis.

Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald was admittedly 'shocked' at the early season fitness levels which helped his side see out a narrow win over Kilkenny in yesterday's Allianz Hurling League opener.