If the shootout between Cork and Tipperary is anything to go by then we will be in for a serious summer of Hurling!
The Munster Championship has that ability to conjure up games like that and it was a refreshing sight for lovers of the game last weekend.
Not many people were expecting a Cork victory last weekend, particularly because most of the media portray them as a team in transition.
And that may well be the case, but I can tell you one thing if the transition continues to be as smooth as this then they will be regular All Ireland contenders once again.
Okay so some might say hold on here, it’s one victory and don’t get carried away but you couldn’t be anything but impressed with how they went about taking down the reigning All Ireland Champions.
We are in an age now where most GAA players are borderline body builders and I agree that players need that strength and conditioning to a certain extent in terms of injury prevention but you don’t have to be Anthony Joshua or Arnie.
In a game where physique and size are becoming an increasing trend, Speed will always win out.
And if you look at Cork they have that pace in abundance.
We all know that Conor Lehane is electric that’s a given with Alan Cadogan not far behind. But now you have Luke Meade, Shane Kingston, Darragh Fitzgibbon and Mark Coleman who are all very mobile.
It was also great to see Michael Cahalane score the winning goal after it looked like he had to retire from the game prematurely a few years back. It’s great to see someone overcoming the odds and he did that in style on Sunday.
This victory for Cork is a victory for Hurling I think.
I say that because I think it opens up the whole Championship.
Waterford will be looking to put Cork back in their box next time out, while on the other side Clare and Limerick will also have a big say not just in Munster but in the Championship in general.
Least we forget Galway who of course are League champions and new All Ireland favourites, but they will have to be on their guard this Sunday against Dublin or they too will be headed for the qualifiers and Wexford still have to jump a hurdle against Laois.
All of a sudden Kilkenny look a nice price at 4/1 and hunger is something that they won’t be lacking.
With Michael Fennelly and Ger Aylward back in action with their clubs, Kilkenny have two serious players in their ranks who they didn’t have last year.
I certainly think they are in with a great chance, but Tipperary will surely have learned from that defeat to Cork and they too look a sweet price at 4/1.
All this renewed debate might not have happened if Cork had lost to Tipperary on Sunday.
Thank you Cork!
