Fáilte ar ais go Hurling Nation.
It's April and the Hurling Championship is upon us again - condensed, compacted, and microwaved!
We'll work backwards and serve the best wine first: Munster.
After all, the championship is essentially Munster versus the rest of Ireland.
Tipp and Cork in Thurles. Last year's final means this game promotes itself. If you're from Tipp you might want to sit down in case you fall over because you are about to read things that are near sacrosanct in your mind.
Brostaigh. And take that free as one.
And another is Tipp, never flat, always peaks and valleys. You might finish last in Munster in '22 and '24 and then win the All-Ireland in '25. The previous two times you win the All-Ireland you didn't make the Munster final, and retaining titles hasn't been part of your story since 1965.
Thuas seal, thíos seal, sin mar a bhíonn an saol! Not opinion, the record, and a part of what makes Sunday very spicy.
Tipp always produce brilliant hurlers and blended a few more young talents during the league this year.
Cork would trade many of those 21 years of downs for a few of those Tipp ups.
This time last year Cork's enthusiasm held until the final 20 minutes that was. Since then the great Patrick Horgan has gone to pasture. Tipp's goals fired them to last year's All-Ireland and Cork's defence looked shaky then - and again in the Gaelic Grounds a fortnight ago. That's Ben [O'Connor's] challenge.
No one goes to Thurles cocky but Hurling Nation expects a better Cork than in Limerick. And a win.
Earlier Waterford go to Ennis to face Clare. A last-dance feel for both. Clare's Munster record is deplorable. Waterford are still trying to break free from the round-robin since it began. They showed flashes in the league but still went down. Cusack Park is a tough start. Shane O'Donnell showed enough in the league final to suggest trouble for the Déise here.
Three games in Leinster.
Galway v Kilkenny is the pick at a blustery Salthill. Kilkenny won't be as flat as the league, they were beaten by 18 that day. (Aaron) Niland, (Jason) Rabbitte and (Joshua) Ryan have Galway moving. The Tribesmen should have enough.
Dublin escaped 1B but were ordinary against Clare. They need more pace and much depends on (Dónal) Burke and (Seán) Currie.
Offaly's momentum has stalled. Six losses in 1A and without Charlie Mitchell, they could come up short again.
Welcome, Kildare.
Their league backed up McDonagh form but a heavy loss to Wexford last time tempers it. The Yellowbellies to have enough here again.
That's the main stage this weekend.
There is also a big programme of games in the McDonagh, Ring, Rackard and Meagher Cups.
Carlow v Laois looks like the pick of the bunch.
After a winter of rain, championship hurling is here.
Dónal Óg Cusack was speaking on Morning Ireland.
Listen to the RTÉ GAA Podcast on the RTÉ Radio Player, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Watch a Munster Hurling Championship double-header, Clare v Waterford (2pm) and Tipperary v Cork (4pm), on Sunday from 1.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on all matches on the RTÉ News app and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
