Shrewd Cork switches prove reserve strength

The modern game lasts for at least 75 minutes and five substitutions is now the norm for every team. Cork supporters would have feared for their prospects when they picked up the match programme and saw the list of replacements available to manager Kieran Kingston.

Defensively, only Shane O’Neill had any real experience. Stephen Moylan’s name jumped out from the list as an obvious replacement for the attack but most of the others were lacking in game time at this level. I wondered when push came to shove would Cork have the reinforcements off the bench to make a difference.

Those questions were answered at the end with the Rebels finishing strongly to see off a Galway side that was over-reliant on the ability of Joe Canning, who struck over 13 points from placed balls.