Dunne and O’Shea have dovetailed beautifully with Sheedy

As hurling people, we live for big days like excited kids on our birthday, but the All-Ireland final is usually our Christmas Day, the day when we are entitled to expect — and usually get — that little bit more.

Yesterday had the sensation of that time when you’re getting that little older, when you’re wondering about Santa and you’re a little bit colder about the whole thing. You’re almost fancying a few quid in a card so you can go out and buy something yourself, instead of the big box with the fancy ribbon.