From previous experience, speaking to Jim Gavin about the one championship defeat in his reign is a futile exercise.

The Bard has a line for it. The Bard usually has.

Donegal 1-11 Monaghan 0-14: To condone or to condemn? That truly is the question.

Jonny Cooper has acknowledged that Dublin’s defending must improve but has rejected suggestions that the All-Ireland champions struggle under the high ball, labelling the comments “nothing new”.

Leaving Semple Stadium around 8.30pm on Sunday, the scoreboards at the Killinan and Town Ends still carried news of the day. They in themselves were damning enough of Cork’s performance but when put into context their display becomes a whole lot worse.

Two managers patrol the Mackey Stand sideline this evening, both haunted by the sense they are on borrowed time.