Liam Sheedy: Last tickets for the redemption bus to Croke Park

Cork’s formline in Munster this year matches up well with my second stint with Tipp in 2019.

Pupils of Scoil Chroí Íosa, Blarney, during an interview session with, from left, Eddie Gibbons of Dublin, Aaron Niland of Galway and Killian Sampson of Offaly. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Jubilant scenes at the final whistles in Cork and Croker two weeks ago should leave nobody in any doubt about the significance of our provincial hurling championships. And any suggestion of ever removing them should be banished.

For Galway, there was a certain amount of relief after previous lacklustre efforts to capture the Bob O’Keeffe. For Limerick, I’d imagine the thrill was in proving to themselves they can still find that next level you need to go to in winning big matches. This bunch know that feeling well.