With three of last year's All-Ireland semi-finalists in the pot for this mornings hurling qualifier draw, we were bound to get a monumental match-up.
Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and Dublin were patiently waiting for the 8.30 news bulletin on Morning Ireland to finish up.
Brian Cody's Cats were solid if not spectacular in their dismissal of Limerick. Tipperary were a bit mundane in the first half against Westmeath before pulling away. Waterford and Dublin both dealt out hammerings to Offaly and Laois respectively.
The draw in full:
Dublin vs Tipperary
Kilkenny vs Waterford
Both ties are set to take place this weekend, with official venues and throw in times to be confirmed by the GAA later in the day.
The winners of these ties will advance to an All-Ireland quarter-final date in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on July 23rd. Wexford already awaits one, with the loser of the Munster final on Sunday awaiting the other. Cork and Clare meet in that Munster final at 4pm.
Tipp can't afford to be as lethargic as they were against Westmeath - Cunningham's Dubs showed that they can turn it on if they have to for 10 minutes against Laois.
It's very much a clash of the titans in the other tie. The young guns of Waterford, facing criticism after falling so easily to Cork are under pressure. The old generals in Kilkenny are still as dangerous as ever - but defeat vs the Deise could signify a change in the hurling landscape.
