Groundhog Day: What's new in hurling's semi-final deja vu

It's Groundhog Day in hurling.

No, we don’t mean Bill Murray is back supporting Limerick again, though he might be. And it’s not a new celebration of those players adept at winning ruck ball.

This weekend, for just the second time and first since 2016, we have a repeat pairing in the All-Ireland semi-finals.

That year, Kilkenny repeated their win over Waterford while Tipperary turned the tables on Galway and went on to lift Liam MacCarthy.

Today, champions Limerick again face Galway while tomorrow Clare and Kilkenny renew acquaintance.

So how do the fortunes of the four teams left standing compare to last year?

LIMERICK

What has changed?

The aura of invincibility has faded a little. The long unbeaten run, stretching back 16 games to the 2019 All-Ireland semi-final, was ended by Clare in the Munster round-robin. There was also a draw with what proved to be very much a work-in-progress Tipperary and the flirtation with a provincial-stage exit.

Key defenders are missing: For the first time since John Kiely took over the team for the 2017, neither Sean Finn nor Declan Hannon will be present. How will Limerick cope without the best corner-back in the country and their captain?

What’s the same?

Limerick still won the Munster title. For a record-equalling fifth year in a row in fact. Even more importantly, they reversed the one-point defeat to Clare, keeping their grip on a trophy their neighbours have been waiting 26 years to regain.

They have been able to win without key players before. Last year, Cian Lynch and Peter Casey were only fit enough to come on as subs and the double Hurler of the Year then missed the final with a fresh injury. But Limerick still had enough to retain their crown. Even a rodent in a hole knows they are