Fine margins, so victors will be those who want it more

The big thing question I have ahead of tomorrow’s National League hurling semi-finals is who wants to win the competition the most this year?

Kilkenny want to win everything, we know that, but what about the others? Everyone wanted to win games during the league itself but I wonder was this just to avoid relegation? It was an outstanding campaign, my reservations about the number of teams notwithstanding, with even the two teams who contested the relegation final last Sunday in with a chance of reaching the semi-finals in the final round.

Now that these four have come this far, who wants to drive on? We’ll focus on the curtain-raiser, and what a curtain-raiser it is. I’m impressed with the team Tipperary have picked. They’re rotating the goalkeepers, which is good, but I like the placing of Padraic Maher at full-back and the switching of Brendan Maher from midfield to wing-back. Don’t be surprised if these are the six backs you see in the championship.