Hard hits, big tackles and good Championship style intensity is what cold but excited hurling fans saw in Ennis last Sunday, as Kilkenny overcame Clare by one point in a pulsating Allianz league division 1-A tie at Cusack Park.

Although league positioning is important, you get the feeling there was something more at stake as Brian Cody’s traditional power met Davy Fitzgerald’s re-emerging force.

Following the game Cody spoke about his pleasure in taking two points, but focused more on the attitude and competitive spirit his side had shown. Perhaps in some ways it was a game more about making statements than taking points.

A game played at such a highly competitive, and physical level, might not be everybody’s idea of an ideal return from injury – following a bad finger break picked up in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final – but not everyone is Kilkenny’s Michael Rice.

The five time All Ireland winner suffered a severe hand injury against Tipperary, following a tackle from Pádraic Maher, that both ruled him out of the All Ireland final and also required surgery on several broken bones. Following the game he spoke to Newstalk’s Óisin Langan, The Kilkenny Peoples Trevor Spillane and the Stars Peter Sweeney and explained why a game like Sunday’s was the ideal way to make his return.

While for many this doesn’t seem like the ideal game to make your return from a  bad finger break picked up in the All Ireland semi-final last August however not everyone is Michael Rice who told it was an ideal match in which to return.

Image: Kilkenny's Michael Rice watches the team warm up before  last year's hurling All Ireland Senior Championship Final
©INPHO/James Crombie