The last time Cork hurlers appeared in Páirc Uí Rinn they served up champagne style hurling when defeating Tipperary.

The main questions exercising the minds of Cork fans before their opening game of the league surrounded the defence.

Skill and discipline are the main ingredients in any successful side but top class work-rate and effort are also vital components.

Developing hurling is like building a pyramid. When I look at the hurling scene in Kilkenny I get the impression their activities are co-ordinated and energies are channelled into inter-county success, the pinnacle of their pyramid.

Were Cork schools always strong in Munster colleges competitions? How accurate is this perception?

Last Sunday’s Munster club SHC final ebbed and flowed throughout the first half with marvellous commitment, skill and scores.

This showpiece of Cork senior hurling struggled to come to life as a contest in Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.

The first point to be made about this game is that the better team won.

In the drawn final Galway were missing the composure necessary to use possession tellingly in counter attacks in the second half.

The battle lines were drawn before the game when Galway showed the fruits of their planning.