Championship talking points: Round robin can twist and change at every turn

Winning that first game is crucial. But it’s not as important either as how it is often portrayed

CAMPAIGN BEGINS: Limerick’s Diarmaid Byrnes is tackled by Kilkenny’s Timmy Clifford during the league final at Páirc Ui Chaoimh earlier this month. Limerick begin their Championship campaign against Waterford in Thurles on Sunday. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Is winning that first game as imperative as everyone thinks?

The last time Tipperary came to Ennis, back in 2019, one of their perceived biggest challenges beforehand was tackling Clare’s citadel of Cusack Park. Clare had only lost two of their previous 20 league and championship games in Ennis but Tipperary did more than just sack Clare’s fortress that day; they effectively burned it to the ground.