Hurling Nation: Custodians starving game of oxygen to sell subscriptions for a commercial entity

This weekend we have three senior games on the Saturday menu.

At Parnell Park, Dublin welcome Antrim. Welcome isn't really the right word. The Leinster Championship has caught fire this summer and both teams are in the scrap for places.

Antrim don't travel well but the close confines of Parnell Park will suit them and they won't fear the Dubs either. Maybe a slight upset is on the cards.

Less scrappy will be Carlow and Kilkenny at Netwatch Dr Cullen Park. Many Carlow hurlers grew up thinking of themselves as a satellite of the Kilkenny empire.

Despite the great work of the last few years, it's probably too soon for the Scallion Eaters to consider themselves equals to the stripey ones.

And to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday evening, sun shining, sell-out crowd, the four-peat champions visiting the real capital, looking like a team shaping for five-in-a-row.

Cork displayed promising signs against Clare but their defence must be systematically tighter and running game balanced with direct plays to counter Limerick's stampede in the middle third.

Finishing with 15 is non-negotiable for the home side. It all points to a Limerick win but there's a part of Hurling Nation that wonders...The red jersey, a huge home crowd desperate for a win along with an hour of need must bring the best out of this Cork team. We refuse to rule out a Cork result.

Elsewhere, top of the bill in the Christy Ring Cup is the Brexit Derby. London who are unbeaten and top of the table, travel to Owenbeg to play Derry who need the two points to put them back into contention.

Neither that game nor any of the Joe McDonagh or Christy Ring Cup matches are amongst the 38 championship games being shown on GAAGO this summer.

No less than seven Tailteann Cup games