A come-from-behind second-half effort secured Tyrone their second win of the Super 8s series and, in the process, all but guaranteed themselves an All-Ireland semi-final berth.

Cork manager Ronan McCarthy, when asked about his players’ unfamiliarity with Croke Park and whether he had any concerns over such, provided a reply straight out of left field, pulling up a Joe Brolly quote from all of 26 years ago.

Midway through the post-match conversation with Ronan McCarthy, a passing Ian Maguire, spotting the handful of dictaphones pressed close to the Cork manager, couldn’t but help himself when bellowing at the top of his voice, “Big Ron is at the wheel”.

Cork will spend the next two weekends in Croke Park after comfortably securing their place in the Super 8s with this emphatic 14-point dismissal of Laois.

Seán White, like many of his Cork teammates, has never played an inter-county fixture at Croke Park.

Self-pity over bad luck and refereeing decisions has cost Cork in the past, Donncha O’Connor believes.

Armagh 1-14 Cork 3-9

With Cork unable to do themselves any favours on Saturday, it was the unintentional goodwill of others that has them still in with a slim chance of avoiding the drop.

Donegal’s fourth league win of the spring has kept alive their promotion bid, while, in the process, moving Cork perilously closer to the relegation trapdoor.

Where in the opening round Cork succeeded in securing a point despite being a man down for the closing 27 minutes of action, yesterday, despite being a man up for the same period of time, they were unable to manage anything at all.

Ronan McCarthy has included four league debutants for Cork's Division 2 opener against Fermanagh.

The Cork team to play Clare in the McGrath Cup Final on Saturday at 2pm, has been announced.

Bandon came close to causing a major shock in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League against defending champions Clonmel. The second division champions were leading 7-6 at half time with a try from Chris Laidler which Richard Walsh converted.