Waterford’s John Mullane takes on the Limerick defence during the 2007 Munster Senior Hurling Final at Semple Stadium.                                                                                                             | Photos: Michael Kiely

Waterford’s John Mullane takes on the Limerick defence during the 2007 Munster Senior Hurling Final at Semple Stadium. | Photos: Michael Kiely

So here we go again: the shadow boxing is now over. It’s Hurling Championship time.

This is the time of year that players, selectors, managers and supporters alike have been priming themselves for since the depths of winter. But now the long evenings are with us, and it’s time to start dreaming again – 1959 and all that.