The top division in England may become more and more predictable but this season could see the soap opera take a dramatic twist.

But here’s a question there’s no harm in posing amid the loud cheers and tobacco spits. How did it take us this long to get good at the Olympics? And here’s another. Why did it take us this long?

More fresh topics for us to pontificate about. More ways of saving us from ourselves.

What might have ensued deserves acknowledgement too because it is in the nature of things that the stories of the losers go untold, the generosity of Cork's contribution now wormwood and gall in their mouths.

A drawn game, with another big day to come in a fortnight’s time, preceded by a week of fanfare and prognostication and excitement? A truly apocalyptic scenario alright.

Know how many points the bookies – or, more exactly, the bookies’ algorithms - reckon will be scored in Sunday's All-Ireland final? Around 57, and these people have a habit of being right about such matters

Limerick's downfall came in the fifth truly great All-Ireland championship encounter of the century.

John Kiely is not just beating his opponents but beating the game itself.

Not that anyone could have anticipated England being so shockingly dull, admittedly.

Cork are not the hope of the neutrals, they’re not the hope of anybody but themselves, yet they’ve never been more badly needed.