Under normal circumstances we'd already know who the new All Ireland champions would be. But as it happens we're at half time in the 2013 edition after Clare and Cork served up a feast of hurling to force a replay.
There were many talking points from the match that Joe put to Jamesie O'Connor, Daithi Regan and Diarmuid 'Gizzy' Lyng.
And one of those was the referee Brian Gavin and Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald's reaction to his decisions in particular. Daithi Regan came out strongly on the subject and he had this to say on the issue:
"Firstly, let me says Ger Loughnane's comments about Brian Gavin were disgraceful. Chip on your shoulder, Ger...get over it! He was way out of line to suggest a guy wasn't fit and that he didn't quite look up for it. Absolutely disgraceful!
"I watched the game when I went home last night and I watched Brian Gavin very closely. He didn't get one technical decision wrong in the second half. In the first half he made a wrong decision and he'll know it's a wrong decision. He also made a wrong decision when not re-awarding the 21 yard free for the goalkeeper charging out. Cork haven't made a huge issue about that.
"I think Davy needs to be very careful what he says after games and what he does on the line because I've heard enough people talk about passion and drive, and I'm sick to death of it. He will cost this Clare team an All Ireland final yet. When referees and sideline men go in at half-time, they don't talk about the weather. They discuss what's going on.
"Davy has a fantastic young team. Do not bring them down, pal! He walked past Kingston alongside the sideline with his hands on hips and put his shoulder into him - lightly but put his shoulder in. Clare were winning by four points and I just thought 'what are you doing?' He berated the linesman, he berated Gavin every time he came anywhere near him. You coach any kid to be disciplined on the field. Twice the ball was brought 10 yards up the field for Clare indiscipline. If you're looking at someone on the line who is gyrating and abusing the referee, are you giving a message to your players that you can do it?"
Listen to the full interview in the Hurling podcast or listen to below:
