Kieran Shannon: Was Eoin Murphy's the best save hurling has known?

In a way it was fitting that Brendan Cummins was on the Sunday Game evening panel to give an insight into just how brilliant and difficult Murphy’s save was

BEST EVER?: Kilkenny goalkeeper Eoin Murphy makes a save from an injury time shot by Peter Duggan. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Of all the thoughts we had leaving Croke Park last Sunday, probably the foremost was that of all the team sports there are on the planet, few at the moment can be in such a healthy state between its lines as hurling is right now.

Beyond those lines it has obvious issues and limitations: only a few counties, let alone countries, compete at it. But as a game in itself, what a joy and a wonder it is. Seven days earlier we had shuffled out of Dublin 3 wondering what sins we had committed to be subjected to the purgatory that was Cork-Derry. Clare-Kilkenny left us praising the heavens. Hallelujah, we have been saved! Hallelujah, what a save from Eoin Murphy!