A steel fist in a maroon velvet glove

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.

I give a customary glance at 1995 and 1997 — just to make myself feel good again for a few seconds — but when I spotted no name beside 2017, I visualised Galway’s name being engraved there in early September.

There is definitely a different cut about them this year. A steel fist inside that velvet glove. The way Galway came out after half-time was just frightening. They upped the physical stakes big-time. They destroyed Wexford in the air. It was almost an attitude of, ‘Hi, we’re done with messing around here, just get out of our way now.’