The aim was threefold: to guarantee counties a minimum of two championship outings, to generate added interest in the All-Ireland series by almost doubling the number of games and to increase the chances of a wider title spread.
Kilkenny's first 35 minutes against Waterford in the 2008 All-Ireland final set a high bar with Limerick's opening stanza in the 2021 decider against Cork coming close, but Tipperary's second-half showing against the Rebels tops the lot and is the greatest half in hurling history.
Meath aims for its first All-Ireland final since 2001 after defeating Dublin, Kerry, and Galway in this year’s Championship. The team faces Donegal, coached by Jim McGuinness, who seeks a third final for his county.
This year, the All-Ireland round-robin stages have taken an unexpected turn, with anticipation building as the teams' trajectories set the stage for a dramatic showdown.
