The All-Ireland hurling semi-finals are upon us and there are plenty of rich narratives around this weekend's games in Croke Park.
For the third year in a row, Clare face Kilkenny - the Banner will be hoping to avoid a third successive defeat to the Cats.
On Sunday, Limerick take on Cork, with the Rebels the only side to have beaten the defending All-Ireland champions in this year's championship.
As we eagerly anticipate the All-Ireland hurling semi-finals, we've taken a look ahead to the potential talking points before a ball is even thrown in.
Five of the biggest All-Ireland hurling semi-final talking points
Who will Mikey Butler pick up?
Mikey Butler and Tony Kelly usually go hand in hand whenever the pair clash with the O’Loughlin Gales man tending to get the upper hand. However, Derek Lyng has a new headache to worry about with Shane O’Donnell in hurler-of-the-year form, and Kelly will likely play in midfield. Will the Cats manager decide to put the cornerback on the Eire Og man and let out the field deal with TK?
The Uncertain Future: Will this be Clare’s last dance?
If Clare lose to Kilkenny once again in an All-Ireland semi-final, will this be the end for the majority of this team? Shane O’Donnell has expressed interest in working abroad in the not-so-distant future, while John Conlon isn’t getting any younger. And how much longer can Kelly's ankles hold up?
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Are Kilkenny undercooked?
Despite not being the greatest Kilkenny team, the record of five Leinsters in a row and the possibility of a third All-Ireland final shows the Cats are still purring. However, questions must be asked: is the Leinster championship doing them any good?
They steamrolled their way to the provincial crown this year, especially in the final, unlike in previous years. The last two years have proven they have the game to beat Clare, but do they have enough to get over the line in a final at last?
Has the Cork Bug Vanished?
Speaking last week, Darragh Fitzgibbon said a bug was going around the Cork camp ahead of their All-Ireland quarter-final win against Dublin.
After blistering performances against Limerick and Tipperary, Pat Ryan’s side was flat against Offaly and the Dubs, especially Alan Connelly, who has been a shell of a man since the round-robin ended.
Can the Rebels finally get the zap back into their play and put in a 2018 performance against the champs, or will we see a 2021 slaughter all over again?
Top scorer battle
With Patrick Horgan and TJ Reid tied on 699 championship points and championship all-time top scorer, both men will most definitely break the 700-point barrier.
Perhaps the real question is, who will score more? And will either player have an opportunity to extend this scoring feat in an All-Ireland final? If both Kilkenny and Cork were to lose at the weekend, it would be interesting to see if either player would stay on or ride off into the sunset.
