Silence in west Cork in stark contrast with last year's Brian Cuthbert talk

For Cork GAA supporters in Croke Park on Saturday night there was a difference in the categories of pain on offer. Do you like your hope crushed early doors or snuffed out with the finishing line in sight?

For those outside the county who are pondering, or gloating, about the county’s decline, the difference in attitude to the two teams may tell you something (though one curious aspect of Cork’s recent decline seems to be the amazing insight enjoyed by many people who don’t live next or near the place).

The Cork footballers made a game of it in Croke Park on Saturday night, leading Dublin comfortably at half-time and remaining in contention until the closing stages, though they had a second half scoring drought which lasted nearly half an hour.