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It’s not too often I start my column with a football theme but the scenes that followed last Sunday’s Leinster football final will have repercussions for every GAA supporter.

Allianz GAA NHL Kilkenny 1-20 Waterford 2-12

The Shamrocks remain on course to lift the Tom Walsh Cup for the third consecutive year after blowing away Carrickshock in a second half blitz last Sunday. They outscored their neighbours 1-14 to 4 points in a virtuoso second half display that once again left people in the stands in awe of their talents. The Ballyhale men most certainly hit the field running with early scores from Henry and Eoin Reid before Richie Power hit back for the Carrickshock men. The Shamrocks’ machine took off once more with points from Henry (3), Colin Fennelly and the impressive Eoin Reid. At this early stage it looked fairly bleak for the ‘Shocks as the Ballyhale men ghosted around the field slotting scores from all angles. The one Carrickshock man that rose to the occasion was their Offaly import David Franks, his burst up the field 10 minutes before half-time, seemed to inspire some of his colleagues. I don't know whether it was that Carrickshock lifted their game or the Ballyhale men dosed off due to their comfortable position, but they certainly had the better of the exchanges during the last ten minutes. Points from intercounty men Michael Rice, Richie Power and one from Shane Power left the minimum between them as half-time approached. This year’s county minor Mark O'Dwyer levelled proceedings on the stroke of half-time with a well taken score.

The Kilkenny hurlers are on the march once again. The Cats showed great composure and resolve when defeating the Galway men by four points in a thrilling Leinster semi-final at Tullamore last Saturday evening.

It has been one hell of a roller coaster ride for Kilkenny fans since 1998. Lucky enough we've had more ups than downs during that period. It's a staggering statistic that during that time it was only twice that the Black and Amber didn’t feature.

All three Kilkenny county champions negotiated their first round Leinster Championship matches last weekend, junior champion's Tullogher Rosbercon got the ball rolling in the best possible way by beating St Peregrines/Trinity Gael's of Dublin by 6 points in O'Toole Park on Saturday. Sunday saw Nowlan Park play host to a double header, intermediate champion’s Erin’s Own of Castlecomer pitted themselves against Carlow senior winners, Naomh Bríd of Old Leighlin. This game went down to the wire. The Comer men eventually came out on top by 2 points in what was described as a cracking game. The Old Leighlin men are very passionate about their hurling, they went to war last Sunday without their veteran centre back and former county and Leinster star, Johnny Nevin, who was away in Australia on over 40s duty. Nevin may be getting on, but by all accounts he still has the drive and passion to compete at the highest level. Comer's cause was helped in the first half by goals from Davy Buggy and Jimmy Byrne, they had to withstand a lot of pressure in the second half before coming out on top. Their next hurdle is Blackwater of Wexford.

The Cats dominated and cleaned up in the Vodafone GAA All-Stars last month and now it looks like the honours will also go their way in this year’s Gaelic Player Awards.

The Leinster hurling draw last Sunday evening saw Kilkenny and Galway both get the short straw. The pairing of these two counties at this early stage would not be ideal for either team or the association as a whole.

Kilkenny's faith in this year’s National Hurling League is once again back in their own hands after a fine victory over a very disjointed Galway side last Sunday.

Eight teams remain in contention for All-Ireland glory after last weekend’s busy schedule. The main event was the 120th playing of the Munster Hurling Final. Considering the importance of Thurles to the GAA, it was probably fitting that the home county Tipperary landed the spoils.