Five talking points as GAA Championships roar into life
Monday 13 May 2019 14:10, UK
Following the weekend which saw the GAA Championships roar into life, we take a look at the main talking points from the action...
Tipperary are back in the All-Ireland conversation
As statements go, a seven-point win over Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh is right up there. Tipperary, who went through the 2018 Munster Championship without a win, looked back to their best.
Liam Sheedy kept faith with much of the 2016 All-Ireland winning team, rather than opting to entrust the task to last year's U21 crop.
After a run of just two wins in their previous 11 games across league and championship, the Premier put in arguably their best performance since 2016.
John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer and Cathal Barrett were central to that triumph three years ago, and were among those to return to top form to provide a platform for Liam Sheedy's charges as they dug out a priceless win on Lee-side.
Waterford and Cork up against it
In recent weeks, there has been so much stock placed in the first match. In 2018, of the six teams that qualified from Leinster and Munster, just Clare had lost their opening game.
The two home sides in Munster lost on Sunday, and already find themselves facing an uphill task to secure a top-three finish.
The Déise will host All-Ireland champions Limerick, with trips to Thurles and Páirc Uí Chaoimh also in store. Meanwhile, the Rebels aim to resurrect their season next weekend when they travel to the Gaelic Grounds.
Both are firmly on the back foot after the opening weekend.
Kilkenny just don't know when they're beaten
Throughout the week leading up to the Nowlan Park showdown, many pondered if a depleted Kilkenny outfit could hold off a resurgent Dublin side.
At half-time with the Sky Blues four points to the good, the Cats were in trouble. However, like Brian Cody's sides have so often done, they blew their opponents away in the second half to secure the two points.
This side undoubtedly have heart - last year's comebacks against Wexford and Galway are testament to that.
With TJ Reid at his best, Kilkenny will be hard to stop.
Limerick footballers cause shock of the weekend
It was a relatively low-key weekend in Gaelic football when measured up against the hurling fixtures, with little prospect of an upset in the minds of many.
The Treaty, who failed to make a major splash in Division 4, weren't fancied to overturn 2016 All-Ireland semi-finalists Tipperary.
However, Billy Lee's side had not read the script and delivered the first true upset of the championship. They will be filled with confidence ahead of the Munster semi-final against Cork, knowing they have nothing to lose.
Derry are making rapid progress
The Oakleafers took the lead against Tyrone with eight minutes left in their Ulster first-round meeting, but last year's All-Ireland finalists had the class to make it over the line.
Nonetheless, it showed that Damian McErlain's side are making faster progress than many anticipated. Buoyed by their Division 4 title, they asked serious questions of the Red Hands before succumbing to a 1-19 to 1-13 defeat.
Those in the pot for the first round of the qualifiers will view the Ulster county as a team to be avoided in the draw.
Sky Sports' live GAA coverage continues on Saturday, May 18 as Cavan face Monaghan in the Ulster Football Championship on Sky Sports Action from 6pm. You can also stay up to date with all the action by following us @SkySportsGAA and get all the latest news, previews and interviews www.skysports.com/gaa
