Hurling’s sleeping giants wake at just the right time

LESS than a month ago, three of hurling’s traditional strongholds seemed to be in crisis.

Limerick had their annual bloodletting, which saw manager Padjoe Whelahan replaced by selector Joe McKenna, Clare froze at home against Galway and subsequently got a rollicking from manager Anthony Daly, while Tipperary, in Semple Stadium, trailed mighty Down heading into injury time in the NHL.

However, the first phase of the league is over and much has changed. All isn’t yet rosy in the Limerick garden, with two players dropped for disciplinary reasons, but their performances have improved, and the outlook is brighter than it was.