Limerick upset the odds today when they unceremoniously dumped Tipperary out of Munster, while Dublin and Wexford drew in the Leinster Hurling Championship.
The Shannonsiders reached the Munster Hurling final following a tremendous 1-18 to 1-15 win over Tipperary on Sunday.
The Premier County looked set to roll on to victory after John O'Dwyer scored a superb 49th minute goal, but it was Joe Allen's side, rather, who pushed on to victory.
The Treaty men, trailing by four points at that point, fought back to tie the game at 1-14 each with 18 minutes remaining. Donal O'Grady and Declan Hannon, who scored 0-9 on the day, scored the final two points that secured a famous win for Limerick.
In what is turning out to be one of the most open Munster championships, they will now face either Cork or Clare in the final on July 14.
Dublin and Wexford will have to do it all again, however, after Saturday's game ended 1-17 apiece in Wexford Park.
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The Jackeens ran riot in the first half, running up a five point lead early on. Wexford found themselves in the lead before the end of the half through an excellent Jack Guiney goal.
The game stayed tight and competitive from then on. Paul Ryan scored a point in the 69th minute, which looked like it might squeeze the Dubs over the line, until Guiney pointed a free over in the dying moments.
The game will now got to a replay in Dublin, and with both Waterford and Tipperary awaiting in the qualifiers already, the two teams will want to avoid a loss like the plague.
An honourable mention goes to Warwickshire, who won the Lory Meagher Cup with a big win over Longford on Saturday. Needless to say, it is a massive result for hurling in Great Britain, demonstrating the rather positive effect that emigration has had on the game across the Irish Sea.
In similarly good news for the sport up north, Donegal defeated Roscommon in the Nicky Rackard Cup final, while Down won the Christy Ring Cup with victory over Kerry.
On The Sunday Game, RTÉ's Gaelic games highlight show, legendary Cork goalkeeper Donal Óg Cusack suggested the inclusion of a Team Ulster in the Championship to create wider competition and perhaps even greater marketability for the sport. I'm not against the idea anyway.
