And then there were two — but how many of the Kilkenny and Tipperary teams are in the driving seat for All-Stars? John Fogarty makes his shouts

A powerful final 25 minutes by 14-men Tipperary sent them into next month’s All-Ireland final against Kilkenny.

Dónal Óg Cusack had already begun changing the game with short puckouts in 2003 and 2004 but Damien Fitzhenry’s puckout masterclass against Kilkenny in the 2004 Leinster semi-final was still a keynote moment in hurling’s expanding tactical revolution.

Lee Chin confessed himself to being “a bit lost for words” afterwards, an occurrence he promptly acknowledged to be unusual. But, in the circumstances, why not?

Thirteen months ago, Henry Shefflin tried to do his club-mate TJ Reid a turn. Rather than calling on referees to protect his fellow ‘hurler of the year’, Sheffin suggested Brian Cody move him to full-forward to avoid man-marking.

Derek McGrath’s musings on the weekend’s hurling.

Everyone wants to know at what stage of the All-Ireland series Joe Canning will make his return — but has anyone stopped to consider the growing possibility that Galway might not see beyond Leinster, putting paid to any late-summer running of The Joe Show?

A sterling second-half comeback from Wexford earned the visitors to Salthill a share of the spoils in this error-ridden Leinster SHC clash.

The questions which Ger Cushe pose have been asked before. The ever so slight frustration in his tone has been heard before also.

Michael Judge stands one win away from a comeback of Tiger Woods proportions — and making World Championship history.

Galway advanced to the semi-finals of the Allianz League thanks to an impressive display in the second-half when they were playing against the wind at Pearse Stadium.

Wexford outscored Kilkenny 1-11 to 0-2 in the second half to seal their Division 1 quarter-final spot.

Yesterday in Cusack Park was a pick ‘n’ mix of everything the league can give you. High scores and stirring comebacks, spectacular goals, and lapses in concentration. Something for everyone in the audience.

Far more satisfying for Limerick than the two points banked was the manner in which they ground out the county’s first top-flight league win since 2009.

Mark Allen beat Shaun Murphy 9-7 to win the Scottish Open a week after losing the UK Championship final.

For 2018 to be deemed a progressive and successful year for the Clare hurlers, then an All-Ireland semi-final has to be reached, according to Frank Lohan.

Their twin talents have been signposted for a decade, and on the eve of their LPGA debut tomorrow, the Maguire sisters from Cavan have inked a pair of lucrative sponsorship agreements which provide stability for them as they tee off highly anticipated pro careers.

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.

Robertson became the fifth former champion to crash out in the opening round of the Betfred World Championship.

After all the new money and massive entertainment on show this spring, the final now is an old-money showdown between Kilkenny and Tipp, writes Anthony Daly

When James McGrath sounded the final whistle after five minutes of injury time a majority of spectators in the 9,793 attendance rose to their feet in celebration.

It may only be February but the Model County already look to be in peak condition, reckons Anthony Daly

Judd Trump has booked his place in the Dafabet Masters semi-finals.

Davy Fitzgerald believes he’s way ahead of schedule with the Wexford hurlers yet has described talk of winning the Leinster or All-Ireland titles in 2018 as “a load of rubbish”.

Ronnie O'Sullivan grabbed a share of two of snooker's great records as he landed his sixth Betway UK Championship title in stunning fashion.

Ronnie O'Sullivan was pegged back by Shaun Murphy as the final of the Betway UK Championship got under way in York.

Mark King was left to rue a costly miss as a 147-break slipped from his grasp with just two shots left to play at the Betway UK Championship.

Shaun Murphy will take on Ronnie O'Sullivan in the Champion of Champions final after coming through a rollercoaster semi-final with Luca Brecel.

Michael White won his second ranking title with a 4-2 victory over former world champion Shaun Murphy in the final of the Paul Hunter Classic today.

Shaun Murphy and Luca Brecel will meet in the Evergrande China Championship final after coming through hard-fought semi-final clashes on Monday.

Former world champions Neil Robertson and Stuart Bingham crashed out of the Evergrande China Championship in the first round.

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.

Anytime I get the lift down from the press box to level 2 in the Hogan Stand, I always look over at the hurling roll of honour as I make my way out through the corridor of the main exit.

Leinster SHC Final Galway 0-29 Wexford 1-17 

Cork star Conor Lehane will be fit for next month’s Munster SHC final with Clare.

Wexford were thoroughly deserving winners against Kilkenny. Twenty-one scores to 14 scores is an eloquent ratio, writes PM O’Sullivan. 

Wexford may not be favourites, but after their successful league campaign and with a home fixture the level of expectation brings its own pressure. Sometimes, this can overwhelm individuals, leading to simple mistakes, writes Donal O’Grady.

Tomorrow evening’s Leinster semi-final could end up an axis tilt, writes PM O’Sullivan.

In the stand but making the most of it. Davy Fitzgerald is the subject of a forthcoming episode of RTÉ’s Living with Lucy and the Wexford boss took the chance to get some filming done yesterday.