Hurling followers all over the country got the tonic that was badly needed - a bloody great contest in the home of hurling between those great rivals Tipperary and Kilkenny. It certainly has wet the appetite for the season ahead. What was most pleasing on all fronts was the commitment and desire shown by both sides to win a national league title. Everybody expected the Cats to run away with this game as in the previous outing between the two sides during the year but the Premier boys were having none of it. Obviously wounded from that massive defeat in Nowlan Park, they set about their task in impressive fashion. Maybe they had a look at how the Leinster rugby side adopted their game plan against Munster and decided to do likewise. They had a high tempo, were strong in defence and their never say die attitude gave us great entertainment on the day. They were right up in the face of their opponents and that tactic was justified as they never allowed Kilkenny an inch and certainly caused a lot of frustration within the black and amber setup. Time and time again they showed us how to nearly beat Kilkenny and to be fair to them; they should have won the match. Kilkenny do not like conceding goals and the last thing they want is to see the game open up, particularly in their own defence. How many times did we see Tipp forwards take on their man and run at the next one to create goal scoring chances? It was great to see a team really have a go and there is no doubt that nothing could replace this as ideal championship preparation for their meeting with the Rebels shortly. Liam Sheedy will be disappointed to lose the game but will be encouraged by the team's work rate and endeavour but more importantly by level of skill displayed. He will look forward and maybe with confidence to the championship season ahead. Missing a few regulars also gave him the ideal opportunity to see what some of his younger brigade were like and they did not disappoint. What of Kilkenny? Well they had everything but the kitchen sink thrown at them and they still came out on top. Brian Cody will have been delighted with this game. It will have shown him again that there is still serious competition for places and the hunger for success has not wilted. They are no guarantees for the injured players that they will get their place back automatically. The is some comfort zone to be in for a manager but one area he might be concerned about is how some of his players reacted to the Tipperary challenge and by that I mean their discipline or lack of it at times during the match. I have no hesitation in saying that Tommy Walsh was lucky to survive and on another day would surely have got a red card. I would not have an issue with any of the other tussles in the game, even though some people would beg to differ with me but as I have always said hurling is a man's game and it is physical and that is what makes it so good. Skill in abundance with physical contact, what more could we ask for? Celebrating 125 years I remember back early in the year all the hullabaloo about celebrating 125 yrs of our association and all the promotional events - that would take place throughout remainder of the year to highlight the strength of this organisation. We had fireworks in February which are now a distant memory but an expensive one and at a time in the season when other competitor sports are drawing to a close, there is very little to suggest that we are marketing or selling our games in a proper structure. GAA headquarters might tell you that these hurling matches market themselves and there is no need for a hard sell but that is sweeping the issue under the carpet and saying all is rosy in our garden about our games. Let's hope over the next few months that we put in a united effort to send out messages loud and clear to all that hurling is still the greatest game in the world. There is no international dimension to it and here it is on our own patch within a small nation and it is dying on its feet. Promotion and proper structure in our schools are way off the mark and change is needed. Hurlers do not begin their sport at an older age - they master it when they are young through our schools and clubs and we will rue the day when we didn't realise this. Roll on the championship It is this time of year again when the blade is lowered and the sod is perfect for hurling. There are some very interesting games on the horizon - Cork v Tipperary, Limerick v Waterford, Antrim v Dublin and Wexford v Offaly. It will be interesting to see Galway perform in Leinster and how the Cork players cope post strike. How will Justin McCarthy relish the challenge of his former team? Will Davy Fitz' be able to ignite the passion and enthusiasm of the Deise again after last year's disaster on final day? Will the Dubs finally come of age and take a big scalp along the way? Can Joe Dooley maintain the level of progress with his youthful Offaly team or will Colm Bonnar inject new life into Wexford? All will be revealed over the next few weeks and if we are to beat the gloom of the recession/depression - there is only one way to do it and that is get on your bike and head for Thurles, Nowlan Park, the Gaelic Grounds or wherever and enjoy the summer of Sundays ahead of us. And remember I did not even mention the Cats! Tweet

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