Hidden gems from a weekend of hurling highlights

The festival of hurling did not disappoint. Moments that will go down in Croke Park history and still be spoken of in years to come.

Eoin Murphy's wonder save. Aaron Gillane’s leap, catch and 180 degree turn midair before burying it in the Galway net. Shane O’Donnell’s run, shrug of the defender and top-corner finish. And, of course, what would wonder moments be without TJ Reid and that sideline when the need was most.

It was a pleasure to be there Sunday to witness some of our game's greatest in action. My son Seán Óg will be five soon and I know I will be showing him videos of TJ in the years to come when he is discussing who he thinks the best player is.

What I’d like to discuss here with you today are the lesser moments from the weekend that perhaps escaped many people but had major influences on the outcome of the games.

Kinnerk's Note-taking

It’s been well documented about minute 25 in the Limerick v Galway game and what was happening in the Limerick goalmouth in front of The Hill. Now, before this there was a key moment for me which influenced the overall outcome of the game or the structure it took.

The camera flashes to the sideline to focus on John Kiely, but in the background on one knee is the greatest hurling brain in the game right now, that of Paul Kinnerk, furiously writing on a piece of paper like one you’d rip out of your copybook to pass a note in class.

I have no doubt what was written down here was outlining the structure the Limerick team were about to take in helping to demolish Galway for the remainder of the game and outscore them 1-18 to 0-06.

The piece of paper and what was on it was important, but worthless without the players to carry it. We’re not picking on ye, Limerick, but rather outlining how