Dónal Óg Cusack's hurling championship predictions

Good morning fellow citizens of hurling nation.

Who out there remembers the good old days when we would pre-heat the oven at National League temperature and get everything prepared properly?

The championship would slow-cook through the summer months and the scent would make your mouth water. We were always hungry for more and in September, when the kids started back in school, their heads were full of their heroes and they were mad for hurling.

That was the cycle of the things and the seeds for future years were always planted that way.

Welcome to the GAA's weird microwave hurling championship. It’s quick and convenient for some. Who cares about hurling?

This week, going around on the little carousel until they hear the ding, we have three games on Saturday and one on Sunday.

Tomorrow, we are serving every hour, on the hour, from five o’clock onwards.

First up, Dublin host Wexford. In the old days, this game would have been played at Parnell Park.

But Dublin have opted to play two big games in Croke Park this summer. It’s a gamble. All those empty seats won’t intimidate anybody; their performances against Antrim and Westmeath won’t intimidate many either.

Wexford haven’t been much more impressive but game by game they are returning to full strength. If the Yellowbellies can get their main men on the pitch together for a full game, they should have enough to make Dublin pine for Parnell Park.

One hour later, the Maroon derby throws in between Westmeath and Galway.

We’re not expecting anything too explosive here and we’re not expecting anything but a Galway win.

The main event of the day is the fixture that used to be the main event of many a summer.

Cork were good last weekend but we also have to say that Waterford hardly showed signs