This morning, like the microwave hurling championship itself, there is a lot to get through and very little time.
So we start with Munster where Sunday's two games are more complicated than they look, Tipperary play Waterford while Limerick play Cork.
Clare are already through to the Munster final, they will be watching with the feet up.
If Tipp beat Waterford, they meet Clare in the Munster final. If they lose to the Déise, then score difference comes into play.
It gets more convoluted, but you’re probably having your cornflakes, so don’t worry about it too much yet.
If Limerick win, and Waterford beat Tipp, well Limerick are in the provincial final and their Munster championship looks like a cunning plan.
If Cork win on Sunday, and Tipp fail to beat Waterford, it’s Cork who will be in the Munster final.
Limerick have always let you know what they would do to you, and then they've just done it, but these past few weeks, have they done with just half a percentage less ferocity?
Just a fraction less hunger? Has there been a small sense of routine?
How do we weigh up the loss of Sean Finn?
Whatever about themselves, we know others have spent years preparing for them and getting a bit better at it all the time.
Many say Cork are a work in progress, and yes, there is work, and there is progress, just not enough to eliminate the Treaty on this count.
While hurling doctors are taking Limerick’s pulse every week, you’d have to wonder where is Waterford’s?
When Ballygunner won the club All-Ireland and the Déise won the league, did any of us see the sudden post-Covid decline coming?
Hurling needs to see signs of life coming from Waterford soon.
In Leinster, Kilkenny are almost certain of their final spot. They’ll have to lose to Wexford and Galway would have to lose to Dublin by a huge margin for anything else to happen.
Wexford are dizzy having lost a 17-point lead to Westmeath. Entertaining Kilkenny is not what the doctor ordered. The Stripeymen to win this, even though they must be tempted to rest some troops.
At the same time, Galway play Dublin in Croke Park. The Tribesmen need a win or a draw to join Kilkenny in that Leinster final. Dublin looked a better side in holding Kilkenny to six points last week, but the broad acres of Croke Park should suit Galway.
The third Leinster game will hopefully draw a huge crowd to TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar. Westmeath play Antrim and there are consequences.
Assuming that Wexford don’t beat Kilkenny, then Wexford people will be glued to the closing stages in Mullingar. If the Yellowbellies lose, and Antrim beat Westmeath, Wexford drop out of the Leinster championship and in to the Joe McDonagh Cup.
After last week’s heroics, Westmeath just need a draw or a win to secure their Leinster status.
Antrim are safe if they win and Wexford lose. Anything less sees them go down.
Finally the Joe McDonagh Cup final. Carlow play Offaly at HQ tomorrow.
The peak of the Carlow Rising movement was 2018 when they won the first Joe McDonagh Cup and they will be looking to cause an upset, but Offaly look the likely victors.
If you can’t make it, be sure to tune in.
So comrades, consider your weekend agenda now in place, and until we reunite, it’s a fond sin é from Hurling Nation.
Dónal Óg Cusack was speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland
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