Ranking the 15 greatest rivalries in hurling

With this being the busiest provincial hurling weekend of the year, Kieran Shannon weighed up both the historical and current relevancy of hurling’s various rivalries

Wexford-Kilkenny, Tipperary-Clare, and Limerick-Cork all feature on the list.

"The night prior to the game, I looked across Lough Derg as the lights flicked on in the opposite valley in Tipperary. Traditionally, because of complex reasons but mainly the counties’ proximity to each other, Clare and Tipperary have been strong rivals. These days, though, things are moving on. Tipperary are not the antagonists they once were. Most Clare players look at Tipperary as another team, another hurdle to prepare for in the great steeplechase that is the All-Ireland championship.

"But most of our management were drawn from the period of time when the sole function of Tipperary hurling was perceived to be to keep Clare down. So we had to hate Tipperary. They were the enemy of the week, until we played Cork or Waterford or Limerick, and then they would become the great monsters of the world. So I looked across Lough Derg and ripped myself to pieces. 'Bastards. Nothing but bastards. That’s all you are over there across the river.' That was the doctrine all week. 'Hate Tipperary. Stand up, lads. Be men. Get the poison going.'’"