'An early kick up the hole never hurt anyone'

So I've this friend. Sean Drummond is his name. Actually he's a friend of a friend. A man not too dissimilar to my good self. The ancient games are what float his boat. He'd have little or no interest in the Euros. At least I don't think he would. No, his scene centres around the fortunes of the capital's hurlers and footballers. He posted on my Facebook Timeline this morning. 'Lucky boys against Limerick yesterday,' he said. 'Huge improvement needed after that performance.' I agreed and added that Tipperary 'showed great composure' and that the experience 'will do them no harm at all' in the long run. 

Sean Drummond knows what he's talking about. He knows that custard is no use to anyone without jelly. He knows that one swallow never made a summer. 'An early kick up the hole never hurt anyone'... He knows that, along with everyone else.

I know which Bourke I’d have

Tom Kennedy was always tall. He was wiry. A good target man. Great pair of hands. Not the most skilful hurler but a great pair of hands. Good attitude.

Tom Kennedy sat behind me in Templetuohy on Sunday where a plethora of county stars were on show. He didn’t seem as tall. Holycross-Ballycahill and JK Brackens was the fare on offer - the second part of a double-header. The former had shocked reigning County and divisional champions Thurles Sarsfields in the opening match in Group Two and were on a high going into the clash with the men from Templemore.