Good morning fellow citizens of hurling nation - we're back to business this weekend in the microwave hurling championship, with potentially some massive knockout fixtures in the mix.
On Saturday evening Dublin visit Kilkenny in the sharp end of the Leinster championship. Dublin come into the game after a draw with Antrim and a win over Wexford, but in reality Kilkenny won't have to be vintage Kilkenny to get through this one.
On Sunday, Galway welcome Antrim while Wexford host Westmeah. Not much hospitality can be expected from the home side in either of these.
We have two big games in Munster, the province where there are no small games. At the start of the championship - way, way, way back a few weeks ago - we wouldn't have bet the house on Clare versus Cork this weekend being a top-of-the-table game.
The last time Clare hurled in Ennis they shipped five goals in a beating to Tipp. Since then they've seen off Limerick and Waterford. When they come back home on Sunday for their fourth big Munster Championship game since 23 April, they'll find the mood music has changed.
Meanwhile Cork came into the championship having tried out lots of versions of themselves during the league.
The cliffhanger draw with Tipperary was the game that a lesser group would have lost and you had to admire Cork's character in snatching that draw.
Playing Clare in Ennis will be a test of this character as much as it will be a test of hurling skills. The two teams drew there during the league and another draw would be no surprise - with home advantage to tip the scales if there is a victor.
When the dust settles in Ennis, draw your breath for Thurles.
We can smell the coming storm in the air this morning. Limerick travel to Semple Stadium fighting for their hurling legacy. A defeat to Tipp and a Cork win in Ennis would see Limerick out of the championship. Unimaginable.
Both teams have suffered injury blows. Sean Finn has been more than just a corner-back for Limerick. Finn is an early warning radar system dressed as a hurler. He seems to know exactly where he needs to be before anyone else knows where they should be.
The hurling gods have cancelled out any advantage Tipp might have had though. Jason Forde looks likely to miss the remainder of the Munster championship at least. Without him, the Tipp attack loses one its sharpest teeth.
Tipp are a tough proposition under Liam Cahill and Alan Tynan's return to the one true faith has given them an extra edge around the middle third. They'll need all the edge they can muster, because Limerick will not go gently.
After so many years on the go, the hunger might be fading a little bit, but not so much that we expect Limerick to say goodbye this soon.
Finally, a bit of housekeeping. On last week's historic broadcast of Hurling Nation, remarks were made which regrettably caused offence in certain quarters who were in contact with us. We would like to take a moment to apologise to all who are involved in protecting that part of our national identity - the Book of Kells.
Roll on the weekend, and especially Dé Domhnaigh. These are the days we were nourished on. Let's enjoy them while we can.
Dónal Óg Cusack was speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland
Watch a Munster Hurling Championship double-header, Clare v Cork and Tipperary v Limerick, from 1.30pm on Sunday on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on the RTÉ News app or RTÉ.ie/Sport or listen to live commentary on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch highlights of the weekend's football and hurling championship action on The Saturday Game and The Sunday Game, 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
