A new year, but unfinished business for club champs

STILL only the first week of January, and hurling clubs and counties the length and breadth of Ireland are girding themselves for another tilt at their own particular Holy Grail.

Even as the rest of hurling rested, however, four clubs, one champion from each of the four provinces, could not afford to take their eye off the ball.

One championship remains to be decided, serious leftover business from last season; Toomevara from Munster, Athenry out of the west, James Stephens of Leinster and O’Donovan Rossa from the Falls Road of Belfast are the last four remaining in the 2004-05 AIB All-Ireland Club hurling championship.