Tipp happiest but Cork can take positives

Even before the ball was thrown in yesterday I learned again what the Munster championship is all about, the old traditions still alive.

I’m not talking about the bit of a shemozzle between Padraic Maher and Cathal Naughton — that was harmless stuff, not a blow thrown, not a drop of blood shed. I’m talking about the supporters, the pre-match rituals, the banter. On my way into Páirc Uí Chaoimh I met a group of fellas from Roscrea, Gerry Long and his gang, and they invited me to join them at their ‘diner’, the boot of the car — I didn’t have the heart to refuse!

Chicken, ham, the best of sandwiches, tay, a few bottles of beer; most of all though, the craic