Hard to know where Cork are going, but Waterford driving on

Before yesterday’s Munster hurling semi-final began, the mood and atmosphere around this Cork team reminded me of 2003, when they met Clare in Thurles.

Cork had just come off the first players’ strike. After a couple of difficult days, and coming so soon after the league final defeat to Waterford, Cork looked ready to cut loose and make a statement.

Even in the parade yesterday in Thurles, you could see how animated the Cork crowd were. They expected a big performance. In the first 20 minutes, it looked like they were going to get it.