Munster Hurling Championship

It’s hard to see any way Dublin can beat Cork Wexford

All-conquering Limerick riding the crest of a wave as they bid for a record six Munster titles in a row

Stefan Tobin (1-3) and Cillian Minogue (1-1) raise the flag for Tipp in a seven-point win at the Gaelic Grounds

Cork run up big totals but they also concede a lot

Galway can expect a resolute challenge at Wexford Park while Waterford have precious momentum as they seek to build on opening win over Cork at Tipperary's expense

Limerick go up the gears to outdistance struggling Tipperary

Ulster continues to provide provincial thrills, while seeds for the Tailteann Cup are decided with Kildare among those in Pool 1

A scoring burst either side of half-time put clear water between the teams at the Gaelic Grounds

Trailing by seven points early in the second half Clare scored three goals in the last quarter

Cork and Clare meet in pick of the hurling round-robins while Donegal face Tyrone in the Ulster football semi-finals

Like the opening scene from Gangs of New York, the Munster championship is a turf war, arranged by appointment and decided by knives and hatchets

Limerick will not be able to treat five-in-a-row bid as just another championship

Cusack Park not Limerick’s favourite hunting ground while elsewhere Cork and Wexford can register important opening round-robin victories

The Munster Council decision to increase ticket prices involved very little risk as the championship is in the grip of a boom