PM O'Sullivan: The mood music in Kilkenny altered significantly over the last four weeks

The Senior panel are said to have trained out of their proverbial skin for the last few weeks.

Kilkenny’s manager Brian Cody arrives for the semi-final with Clare

All Ireland semi final weekend endures as one of hurling’s most enjoyable occasions.

Often enough, these games produce a better standard than the following decider. I have high hopes of this evening’s meeting of Clare and Kilkenny. Ditto for tomorrow’s meeting of Galway and Limerick. We should see two crackers.