Early league rounds have delivered excitement and quality

Are we not entertained?

As we press pause on the Allianz Hurling League for a week after three rounds of games, we can say that in terms of excitement, competitiveness and quality, it has been a very good start to the season.

Galway defeating Kilkenny in Nowlan Park was a ding-dong affair. Carlow drew with an Offaly side that have blitzed all-round them since that game before the Barrowsiders turned over Waterford.

Limerick and Cork laid down small markers in Páirc Uí Chaoimh while Tipperary and the Treaty men served up a cracking game at the weekend. And all before we even reach Valentine's Day.

The structure of the league has helped create this, coupled with the fact we had no pre-season league competitions to contend with. There is real jeopardy at the bottom end of tables.

Teams need to avoid relegation because they want to stay in the top tier for the better quality games, but also from a financial viewpoint. County boards are acutely aware that if their team goes down, so too will the gate returns. You won’t sell 30,000 tickets for Cork v Westmeath like you do for Cork v Limerick.

By the by, I’m not relegating the Rebels now I’m just using it as an example. Cork people stay calm, ye are on the way back to the top.

Some of the individual brilliance has been super to watch. We will be watching Sean Kenneally’s goal against Limerick on Sunday as one the goals of the year when TG4 showcase the best of the best on Christmas Day as we try to sleep off the dinner. Do not underestimate the skill it took to meet the sliotar that well in mid air and finish it to the internal side net of the Limerick goal.

With this being such a results-driven industry, many teams and managers are feeling the pressure of perhaps getting guys back