Given the atmosphere in Cork las Saturday and even in Waterford when Tipp came to town a week earlier you can really see the benefit of big home games.
For the first time in ages I have seen many bars in Cork decked out with flags and bunting. You'd often see it with Munster Rugby flags. It is a pity that in a couple of weeks there will be no big home hurling games for any county.
A group round to determine the All Ireland semi finalists would be great but we are just short a few teams for that. You can't have 4 coming out or the provinces of it would destroy the provincials.
Donal Og had an idea or an Ulster a few years ago. If you had the 3 provincial qualifiers + and Ulster & Leinster (or Midlands) (excluding McCarthy Cup teams entering the fray for 2 groups of 4? Each team plays 3 games, provincial winners get 2 home games.
Honestly I don't think it would work in practice, the 2 combined teams wouldn't be strong enough but just seeding the idea for peoples thought. It would be great see towns and cities alive with big hurling clashes at the height of Summer.