Only time will tell when it comes to the split season

For now, a proper judgement on the split season is impossible until the season plays out in full. Within that vacuum, judgement is inevitably either suspended or uncertain

WAIT AND SEE: Kilkenny manager Brian Cody remains to be convinced about the benefits of a split season. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Early last month, Kevin O’Donovan, the Cork county board secretary/CEO, cleared his throat, coughed up something which had been stuck in his gullet and spat it straight out.

Annoyed by TV commentary around the split season and a desire to push the inter-county season back out to August or September, O'Donovan insisted that successfully concluding Cork’s county competitions in time for the provincial club championships would be next to impossible if the inter-county season is pushed back.