No sign of fear loosening grip

In the postprandial glow of an intoxicating All-Ireland final, Liam Sheedy’s tongue loosened. “We seen professional guys on Friday night trying to kick a ball around the Aviva…”

Michael Lyster chuckled his derision, while Cyril Farrell doubled on the pass: “The lads Friday night are getting paid, you see; they don’t want to score.”

Cheap shots, really. And a shame, on a glorious Sunday, that hurling needed to look sideways and betray any signs of insecurity. But a reasonable barometer of sentiment, all the same.