We still have a long way to go, says O’Brien

They’ll be on opposite teams and opposite sides of the pitch in Semple Stadium on Sunday in the final round of this year’s Allianz Hurling League, but John O’Brien (Tipp) and Cathal Naughton (Cork) were all comradely smiles in the most unlikely setting of Mitchelstown Caves yesterday as they posed for a few publicity pictures.

And why not? With the sun beating down from a clear blue sky it feels like the midst of June or July, doesn’t it?

And with these oldest of hurling rivals meeting in Thurles in a big game, that sense of summer is intensified.