GAELIC GAMES:SOME THINGS change but mostly they stay the same. Like the Old Order within Gaelic football and hurling. A quick perusal of the Leinster hurling championship semi-finals shows matters motoring along as normal.
Kilkenny don't do ring rusty. They battered Offaly in Portlaoise yesterday with 18 points to spare, while the supposed Dublin hurling revolution was stalled by a late Wexford revival on Saturday evening in Nowlan Park. The silver lining for Dublin is a replay on the Croke Park undercard this Sunday. At least that's something for both teams to relish.
Either way, Kilkenny look practically certain to be sitting in the All-Ireland semi-finals next August as provincial champions. There is almost sympathy for Brian Cody as he tries to answer questions about Leinster opponents without sounding condescending.
"It was a huge battle out there for us," he began before justifiably praising his panel.
On the Dublin and Wexford affair he could be more forthright.
"I thought it was a great game," he said, though it patently lacked quality. "Dublin played some brilliant hurling in the first half - outstanding scores. Wexford's two goals proved crucial but they came back very strongly. We're looking forward to seeing who our opponents are in the Leinster final.
"Whichever way it goes there is the makings of a very, very serious obstacle for Kilkenny."
What else can he say? And what can Joe Dooley add? A man held in huge regard in every hurling enclave, the Offaly manager has taken over a group that has gone significantly backwards even from last season's defeat to Kilkenny.
"In fairness, Kilkenny are just awesome. They have good hurlers in every position on the field and are going to take some beating.
"I don't think we'll be the only team that will be on the end of a beating like that this year from Kilkenny. We just have to keep at it."
Other things remained as they have always been. The blighted Munster football championship saw Kerry breeze past Clare while Cork stumbled over Limerick, requiring two goals in the final two minutes from Daniel Goulding and John Hayes to avoid the upset of the summer.
Paul Galvin hardly began his tenure as Kerry captain auspiciously, receiving two yellow cards in Killarney. His manager Pat O'Shea described Paul as "sinned against more than the sinner". But that he slapped Paddy Russell's notebook from his hand on being shown the second yellow and then proceeded to verbally unload on Tomás Ó Sé when the vice-captain denied him access to a linesman and a Clare opponent should ensure a sizeable dose of remorse once Galvin regains his cool. Regardless, the Russell incident may well lead to further sanction.
Declan O'Sullivan is a more immediate concern for the All-Ireland champions after being carted to hospital for a knee scan. Two-thirds of the regular Kerry half-forward line could yet be absent come the Munster final on July 6th.
As for things that do change, Tyrone are no longer Ulster champions, a goal from Down's Benny Coulter in extra-time separating the sides in Saturday's replay at Páirc Esler.
It was the football match of the championship thus far, a typical Ulster collision that seemed to be settled by the introduction of Tommy McGuigan on the hour. First he reeled in the Down lead before initiating a scoring spree in extra-time that seemed certain to guide the 2005 All-Ireland champions back to another showdown with their old friends, Armagh, who had few problems dispensing with Cavan in Breffni Park.
Down are on the verge of a breakthrough but manager Ross Carr preached caution: "I don't want to seem like spoiling the party but I was in Clones five years ago when Monaghan beat Armagh . . . Armagh still contested the All-Ireland final that year.
"Tyrone will still be playing football in August. Whether we are or not remains to be seen."
Either way, the championship flame is finally ablaze. All the regulars are up and running. Another week of disciplinary sanctions and injury updates to follow. It gets even more interesting from here on in, so stay tuned for any fundamental, eh, changes.
