Dynamics of Thurles double-header nicely poised

There is a loop of hurling anoraks throughout Ireland and I am cousins, never far removed, with each and every pilgrim.

Kilkenny’s good fortune is an irk but we talk. We really do. They are the weather. It would not do to fall out with the weather.

Their forecast for this weekend is only fair to middling (and well back towards the fair end of middling). Around the circuits, there is a hum of ennui.