Kieran Shannon: Cork hurlers have always been able to take or leave the league

Even in their glory years Cork had an ambiguous relationship with the league

Tomas Mulcahy of Cork looses his hurley in the 1993 National Hurling League Final with Wexford 

Even in their glory years Cork always had an ambiguous relationship with the league. Exiting it was no big deal and winning it could be similarly easily dismissed and forgotten.

Before the 1984 centenary All-Ireland final, the late Mick Dunne attended the Cork press night for RTÉ and its then flagship primetime Saturday television show, Sports Stadium. In one segment he was interviewing an obliging yet relaxed Dermot McCurtain, one of the finest and most decorated players of his era, when he mentioned about the only previous Cork had with their upcoming opponents.