Clare’s battle with Galway an audit of hurling itself

Most hurling matches are a result.

Someone wins. Someone loses. A team advances. Pundits bark or slaver and the media caravans move on.

Tomorrow’s All-Ireland semi-final between Clare and Galway is another matter. Many contexts fringe this occasion, including its West of Ireland lift. Perhaps more than making the senior final is at stake. Hurling might look to this contest as an audit on itself, past and present.