Limerick show depth is key ingredient but Tipperary can pose early test

On Sunday we give thanks to the hardest working people in the world: our mammies.

Those of us who are lucky enough to still have them with us, don't forget it - and let this be your reminder.

Another week on in the Allianz Hurling League and the games have been a bit more intense, with added bite. They at least have that feeling that they mean more this year; at least for me they have.

We’ve also had changes to the GAA world in terms of Congress since our last round of games.

The main ones include the amendment all cards will carry on into extra-time, so if you’re sent off in normal time your team stays down to 14 in the extra halves. If you’re booked in normal time, that yellow card will carry over into extra time. It makes sense.

The other common sense motion was to stop punishing our best players and changing the one-week rule to a 60-hours timeline across all tiers for allowing players to be involved in Under-20s and senior inter-county games.

The saying, 'if they’re good enough, they’re old enough', has lost a lot of it’s meaning in recent years as many top-class players couldn't line out for both teams when all they wanted to do was just that.

For me, we’re wrapping up these players, across all codes, in too much cotton wool and preventing them from doing what they love most: playing games.

People speak of player burnout but really playing a match is much more enjoyable than going training - especially at underage grades, where the window to get game time is so small.

Preventing a player from playing underage with their county because they are that good they could be used for the seniors is as useful as the letter 'g' in lasagna.

All you are doing is punishing these players for excelling at their age grade by preventing them