Dónal Óg's Hurling Nation: Doctors checking Treaty pulse

This morning, like the microwave hurling championship itself, there is a lot to get through and very little time.

So we start with Munster where Sunday's two games are more complicated than they look, Tipperary play Waterford while Limerick play Cork.

Clare are already through to the Munster final, they will be watching with the feet up.

If Tipp beat Waterford, they meet Clare in the Munster final. If they lose to the Deise, then score difference comes into play.

It gets more convoluted, but you’re probably having your Corn Flakes, so don’t worry about it too much yet.

If Limerick win, and Waterford beat Tipp, well Limerick are in the provincial final and their Munster championship looks like a cunning plan.

If Cork win on Sunday, and Tipp fail to beat Waterford, it’s Cork who will be in the Munster final.

Limerick have always let you know what they would do to you, and then they've just done it, but these past few weeks, have they done with just half a percentage less ferocity?

Just a fraction less hunger? Has there been a small sense of routine?

How do we weigh up the loss of Sean Finn?

Whatever about themselves, we know others have spent years preparing for them and getting a bit better at it all the time.

Many say Cork are a work in progress, and yes, there is work, and there is progress, just not enough to eliminate the Treaty on this count.

While hurling doctors are taking Limerick’s pulse every week, you’d have to wonder where is Waterford’s?

When Ballygunner won the club All-Ireland and the Deise won the league, did any of us see the sudden post-Covid decline coming?

Hurling needs to see signs of life coming from Waterford soon.

In Leinster, Kilkenny are almost certain of their final spot. They’ll have to lose to Wexford and