MOSTLY HURLING:THE ATMOSPHERE and build-up more resembled a final than a semi-final last Sunday. The crowds in the city, the gatherings outside the Gresham and Barry's Hotel.

The hats, flags and headbands merchants were well stocked. It was shortly after noon as a sea of people, mostly wearing red, began to make their way to headquarters. The touts were there of course even though it was never going to be a sellout. I had walked out from O'Connell Street to Croke Park on Leinster final day around the same time and the scene was more like Christmas morning. The streets were bare.

Whatever your opinion of Cork people - and I know they are many and varied (the opinions and the people too I suppose) - there can be no denying that they (we) love their (our) sport and they (we) love the hurling in particular.

There are, at least, two schools of thought about the large Rebel attendance for a semi-final. One is that the diehard hurling fans wanted to be present when their team denied Kilkenny their current chance of achieving the elusive three in a row and the glory that accompanies it. The second is that there was much talk leading up to the game that, if defeated, we would be present at the last performance of this great Cork team.

We weren't there though wishing to witness a powerhouse performance from the opposition. In my opinion the display given by Brian Cody's warriors in the last 15 minutes of the first half was as good as ever seen in Croke Park.

This was power hurling. They thundered into every tackle, they hooked, blocked and flicked with the precision of a surgeon. They picked off some marvellous points and Eoin Larkin's elusive goal probably shut out the game and only half an hour played.

The speed of execution at times was awesome. Derek Lyng, Eddie Brennan and Larkin's wrist work was so deft and fast. The transfer of the sliotar at times was so quick that you were wondering who actually had it. Noel Hickey played like he hadn't missed a day's training in months.

At half-time Cork were in the same position they were in against Clare two weeks earlier and while I thought they could rescue that game I knew there was no way of winning this one. So the upshot of Sunday's result is that Kilkenny will be odds-on to achieve their three in a row and the Cork team of the last decade will be no more.

I have no doubt but a few more of the team of 1999 will leave the intercounty scene but with Patrick Horgan, Shane O'Neill, Cathal Naughton, Pa Cronin and Paudie O'Sullivan among others, the Rebels will be a force again, though they might have to wait until Brian Cody has had enough.

So it's time to look ahead again. We spend most of our lives either looking ahead or looking back. How many of us spend much time in the now? I believe that it's the place to be. Having a job that occupies you mentally as well as physically is wonderful. Being engrossed in what you're doing is the key to happiness. I know that might seem a bit heavy now for a column titled Mostly Hurling but keeping your mind focused on what you're doing could make you quite happy and we could all do with a bit of that. Eckhart Tolle's bestselling book The Power of Now is worth a browse for more on the subject.

Anyway back to looking ahead to Sunday in Croke Park where the hurlers of Waterford and Tipperary will definitely be in the now. Whichever team stays in the moment the longer has the best chance of victory.

What a contrast in seasons we have here. We have the Munster and National League champions against a team beaten in their opening game who, though they have improved since, aren't the force they once were. The year 1963 seems like two geological ages ago. But they're back in the semi-final and are definite underdogs. It's good to be the outsider going into a big game. The pressure should be all on the favourite but on this occasion I believe there's as much pressure on Waterford as Tipperary.

How often has the term "last-chance saloon" been used in relation to the Déise hurlers? Will some of the great hurlers of our time hang up their hurleys without winning an All-Ireland? Can Dan Shanahan find the goal touch again? Is playing Ken McGrath at full back a negative move from management? How influential has he been in so many games from centre back? I believe they should put him back out at number six, where he can have more control on the game. How long more can that great stylist Tony Browne sustain the fitness required at this level?

Is this it, Waterford? Is it now or never?

Tipperary, on the other hand, seem to be on an upward curve this season. They are playing with a purpose and a sense of belief. Their work-rate is almost Kilkennyesque. They have a one to nine similar to the Cats but, as a unit, their forwards aren't the finished item yet.

They bear the disadvantage of the five-week lay-off which will allow Waterford time to get a grip on the game. If the Déise start well they may have a chance. There's no doubt they have a talented forward line but they will need to be disciplined against a back line that won't and don't stand on ceremony.

Maybe focus (being in the now) and control are key words from a Waterford perspective but I somehow think we'll be seeing the Premier fans gathered around the capital's watering holes in early September.