If ever hurling was to be showcased to a foreigner, the past two evenings in Thurles should be presented as the definitive examples of why it is such a magnificent spectacle. Tipperary, Limerick, Cork and Waterford all played a role in enhancing our sport.

Where to start? Cork and Waterford served up an absolutely magnificent game yesterday. The neutral spectator couldn't have dreamed up what transpired. Some of the scores rate as the best ever produced at Semple Stadium. That it came down to the last puck of the sliotar rebounding out off the crossbar says it all really.

The standard was extremely high, the pace mesmerising. And it was all played in a fantastic spirit. It was a real thrill to be present.

Cork undoubtedly tapped into the motivation of losing their three great leaders - Seán Óg, Donal Óg and Diarmuid O'Sullivan. Those who remained fought manfully throughout.

Their supporters also played a significant role, first by showing up in such numbers and second in lifting their team at crucial periods.

But Waterford have almost perfected the habit of winning tight games. It was evident in the league against Tipperary, Cork and, in the final, Kilkenny but to transfer it to the Munster championship is what defines a team. Cork threw everything at them in the closing minutes and seconds. They survived.

This victory will do wonders for their collective psyche.

It must be noted, however, that they did concede three goals, two of which were scored despite plenty of defenders being on hand to challenge the Cork attacker. They were soft. At least it's an area they can home in on ahead of the Munster final, which can be taken as a positive. There is another level in them.

It's nearly all good news for Justin McCarthy. Aidan Kearney enhanced an already burgeoning reputation. The veterans Ken McGrath and Tony Browne were outstanding throughout, especially Browne's late point off an Eoin McGrath ball into space.

There is more strength in the panel than in any Waterford team that has come before. Brian Phelan, Dennis Coffey, Eoin McGrath and Shane Walsh all showed well when they came in. That's at least 19 players who are now up to the required standard.

John Mullane may have faded but he was a worthy man-of-the-match winner, his late revival point probably just shading it from Dan Shanahan.

I was delighted for Mullane, especially considering all the hassle he has experienced over the years against Cork.

His marker, Brian Murphy, was ill during the week and should have been left out. Granted, it was a calculated gamble - and who could have known Mullane would catch fire in such irresistible style?

Cork can take plenty of positives out of this defeat. The three suspended players were not the only absentees. Murphy was a shadow of his normal self, Niall McCarthy went off injured, while the loss of Tom Kenny damaged the only area of the field they were dominating.

The midfield opened up for Waterford after Kenny hurt himself in a heroic block on Paul Flynn. The scenario was created by Ronan Curran's failure to clear the ball long.

Also, at least two of the goals conceded would not have occurred if O'Sullivan had been manning the square. They call him the Rock for a reason.

The difference was a goal - Flynn's penalty was dispatched while O'Sullivan would have surely taken Cork's penalty.

Back to Saturday night. After the Limerick and Tipp game ended in stalemate the people around me were visibly shaking.

It was the most amazing game I can ever remember being at. The quality was up from the first draw, although still short of the Cork-Waterford standard.

Still, it was like being present for three matches in one. In the first, Tipperary were utterly dominant and should really have buried Limerick but they spurned, or were denied, four clear goal chances before half-time.

The second chapter was a complete reversal as Ollie Moran in particular rediscovered last week's form. Séamus Hickey and Mark Foley also deserve a mention for their defending.

Then came the third act. Extra-time. I thought Tipp would lose as the energy seeped out of the players' legs. The setting sun didn't help matters either. Tipp players must still be wondering how it came to such an endgame.

The pendulum appears to have swung in Limerick's favour, as Tipperary must be wondering what they have to do to see them off.

More of the same next week, please.