The day we never thought would arrive is here at last.

After months of talk about who should be manager, the method of choosing him, who was to blame for all the delays and talk of players giving up the game we have reached a conclusion.

That's right, the Cork dispute has finally led to Cork being out of the National League in Football and Hurling this year.

It is a sad day for all GAA fans, no matter what view you take on the dispute. There are faults on both sides and while I believe the players should play, keep the show on the road and work in the background to resolve the issue, they are not under contract and are fully within their rights to walk away.

The interesting aspects now for the neutral fan is what impact will this have on the League titles and what knock on effect could it have on the Championship.

Division 1A in the hurling is now wide open. As Sean Moran pointed out in yesterdays Irish Times Dublin and Antrim are now both missing a home game each so their task is now even harder. With Wexford beating Waterford in Round 1 the way seems set now for perhaps Wexford and Kilkenny to qualify out of Group 1A.

Wexford got to the semis last year but the last time they won the league was in 1973. Do you have any idea how long ago that is? Damien Fitzhenry was born in 1974. Thats how long ago.

Only Dublin (1939) have been longer without a league title.

Winning the NHL would be big boost to Wexford hurling and could be the springboard to a championship that without Cork, will be vastly different to every other year.

All bets are off as to who could win Munster. Potentially Tipp have a bye to the final. Even if Cork do get back playing, missing the league will hurt them and they should be off the pace.

Of course Cork players would be more determined than ever to win the Championship if they are back playing but hard to see them managing it without the team training all the other teams have been doing since January or before.

Even if they do build up a head of steam in the qualifiers then eventually Kilkenny will be waiting for them.

Say what you like about Kilkenny, and I will in future posts, but they are a classy outfit and the three in a row looks to be on a plate for them.

Oh yeah the FAI hired a new fella. Some Italian lad. Sure we might come back to him some time, we will see how it goes.