It's only two months ago, but it seems like an age. In the middle of September, when Willie O'Connor - broken rib and all - stood on the platform in Croke Park and lifted the Liam McCarthy Cup one-handed above his head, we were all caught up in the glamorous world of hurling in the new millennium.
Fast forward to the middle of November. Dirty weather and heavy pitches. Hardly the sort of weekend, you would imagine, that would be chosen to play host to a one-time Goliath in the hurling calendar. But the Interprovincial Championship, aka the Railway Cup, has come a long way downhill since its heady days and nobody knows how to stop its free-fall from grace.
O'Connor, though, is adamant about one thing: "It must be kept alive," he insists. In fact, an indication of the appeal that it still retains among players - if not administrators or spectators - is that no less than eight players from the Kilkenny team that won the All-Ireland will line-out for Leinster in tomorrow's semi-final with Ulster at Dicksboro.
"I know that it is still a great honour to be picked for Leinster and, although the conditions at this time of the year are not the best for hurling, I personally am always delighted to be selected to play for the province. If you weren't selected, you'd want to know why . . . so that probably gives some pointer to what it means to us, the players," says O'Connor.
Eight of Kilkenny's All-Ireland winning team are named for tomorrow's game, including hurler of the year DJ Carey, along with three members of the beaten finalists Offaly. The only surprise inclusion is Meath's Nicky Horan at left-half forward.
Kerry footballer William Kirby, who has not played for the county since their All-Ireland semi-final loss to Kildare in 1998, is poised to return to the county team for the National Football League Division One A meeting with Tyrone.
Kerry are without nine of the team that won this year's All-Ireland - six, including Seamus Moynihan, are involved in Sunday's county final, while Noel Kennelly, Donal Daly and Maurice Fitzgerald are injured - which has opened the way for Kirby and Eamonn Breen to return to the fold. Both were members of the team which won the All-Ireland in 1997.
Armagh, who take on Wicklow, have made three changes from the side that fell to Cork. Sean O'Hare comes in to replace Ger Reid at left corner back, while Gerard O'Reilly is named at centre half back in place of Tony McEntee. Kieran Hatzer makes his first start for the team at wingforward in place of Paddy McKeever.
Kildare have left a goalkeeping vacancy in the team for their Division Two B encounter with Monaghan but it is expected to be filled by regular custodian Christy Byrne, who is named among the substitutes, if he comes through a pre-match fitness test.
Down's intention to blood new players during the league campaign is reflected in their naming of five newcomers - Kevin McGrath, Brendan Grant, John Lavery, Pat McCartan and Conor Daly - for their clash with Waterford. In all, there are seven changes from the side that beat Monaghan in the opening round.
Donegal, who play Galway in Tuam on Sunday, make one change to the team which beat Offaly in the first series. Jonathan Scanlon replaces Damien Diver, who was injured in a club game last weekend.
