The Fogarty Forum: State of the Nation

After two days of such turnover and upheaval, John Fogarty looks on those who have left us and those who remain.

The second weekend in July: the championship’s version of golf’s third round moving day.

Hurling leaves behind two of its traditional counties, bringing with it just six. Last year, it was Offaly and Waterford who were surplus to requirements. This year, Clare and Limerick were stranded. Never in the qualifier era has such bounties been sacrificed so early in the summer.