Tony Considine: Cork might be contenders again but Limerick and Clare still ahead of them
Cathal O'Neill came of age for Limerick against Waterford. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
HERE we are, no more ifs and buts, we're left with the three best teams in Munster and the three best teams in Leinster.
It was edge-of-the-seat stuff for everyone, with so much up for grabs on Sunday, in both provinces, including Antrim host Carlow in what was basically a relegation final. Antrim just holding on, and will play in the MacCarthy Cup again next year.
The one county that did not take part will be absolutely delighted they are still in this championship, after losing twice. You would have to say that Cork have done very well to get back in with their two last wins against Limerick and Tipperary. But they were still depending on Limerick doing them a favour by beating Waterford.
Limerick were very impressive in scoring 30 points and having 19 wides, so that tells its own story. Limerick are back in full swing again, not that they were ever out of it too much, apart from that defeat against Cork.
They made a big statement against Waterford. The drive for five is still on, but it's not a clear road by any means. They have to negotiate the minefields ahead of them.
I was in Cork during the week and met a lot of hurling people delighted with the result from Ennis the previous week.
They also told me that they were going to do a few novenas for this weekend, and one even told me, for the first time ever that he was supporting Limerick. It was hard to blame him as Cork had played so well in the last two games.
Limerick were only concentrating on themselves, and didn't give two hoots about Cork or anyone else. Look after your own house first is the policy there. Still, the power of prayer worked for Cork!
Looking at the Munster championship, we got some quality games. Brilliant individual performances by a lot of players, great team displays and wonderful crowds. The atmosphere was electric overall.
Also, fantastic sportsmanship, intense rivalry. Cork-Limerick was a fantastic spectacle and one of the great evenings that I will remember from this Munster championship. The passion the Cork crowd showed that night for their team, and the way the team responded when all seemed lost, was great to witness.
The Cork supporters brought the same type of passion to Thurles, taking on the old enemy, and by God did the team respond there. Alan Connolly came of age with his three goals. And Shane Barrett showed great leadership for a man of such tender years.
Cork played brilliant hurling that day, on their favourite pitch. It made Cork real All-Ireland contenders, but like everyone else left, they are only contenders.
Will the break do them good, as they had real momentum? They have to sit back now and watch Clare and Limerick in a Munster final, the two best teams in Munster for the last three years, who have given us some entertainment. I'm sure they will do the same again in a couple of weeks.
Of course, Cork will be analysing all that and Pat Ryan and his management team will be very interested spectators at the Munster final, maybe knowing that they could meet one if not both later on in the All-Ireland series. Isn't that something to look forward to for all hurling supporters.
Although the hurling has been great and very competitive, there is a lot of negativity around the game about certain aspects of the rules. The big one is the 'throwing of the ball' in other words, not hand-passing it properly.
There is also a lot of talk about referees, and umpires. One umpire wanting to give the score, and the other one waving it wide... surely that should not be happening in this day and age. Have Hawk Eye at all major grounds at big championship games. That would solve the problem.
And refs... I will sign off with this, please use the rules but add common sense as well. Keep out of the limelight.
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