Good morning fellow citizens of hurling nation.
Who out there remembers the good old days when we would pre-heat the oven at National League temperature and get everything prepared properly?
The championship would slow-cook through the summer months and the scent would make your mouth water. We were always hungry for more and in September, when the kids started back in school, their heads were full of their heroes and they were mad for hurling.
That was the cycle of the things and the seeds for future years were always planted that way.
Welcome to the GAA's weird microwave hurling championship. It’s quick and convenient for some. Who cares about hurling?
This week, going around on the little carousel until they hear the ding, we have three games on Saturday and one on Sunday.
Tomorrow, we are serving every hour, on the hour, from five o’clock onwards.
First up, Dublin host Wexford. In the old days, this game would have been played at Parnell Park.
But Dublin have opted to play two big games in Croke Park this summer. It’s a gamble. All those empty seats won’t intimidate anybody; their performances against Antrim and Westmeath won’t intimidate many either.
Wexford haven’t been much more impressive but game by game they are returning to full strength. If the Yellowbellies can get their main men on the pitch together for a full game, they should have enough to make Dublin pine for Parnell Park.
One hour later, the Maroon derby throws in between Westmeath and Galway.
We’re not expecting anything too explosive here and we’re not expecting anything but a Galway win.
The main event of the day is the fixture that used to be the main event of many a summer.
Cork were good last weekend but we also have to say that Waterford hardly showed signs of life at all.
Cork’s midfield looks like it’s here to stay. The Rebel defence made Waterford’s defence look blunt but Tipperary’s forwards will be a different story.
Meanwhile, Cork’s attack scored well without creating many goal threats.
Tipperary scored five goals against Clare on the first day out and even if some of those goals were self-harm on Clare’s part, a forward line containing goal-getters like Jake Morris and Jason Forde will test any defence.
If Cork win this one, in front of what promises to be a huge attendance at Páirc Ui Chaoimh, they will know a lot more about their potential on Monday morning.
Finally, on Sunday, in the GAA’s quirky scheduling, the only top-level championship match is Kilkenny’s visit to Antrim.
Antrim started the championship with a draw to Dublin and giving Wexford a bit of a rattle. They usually make the most of home advantage but it’s hard to imagine how much would have to go right for Antrim or wrong for Kilkenny for this to be a major surprise.
Dónal Óg Cusack was speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland
