We got out of jail last week and that was the kick in the backside we needed

LARRY TOMPKINS was a bundle of emotions yesterday. His joy was more than eclipsed by a large dollop of relief, in the aftermath of his side's Munster SFC final victory over Tipperary in the unlikely format of a replay.

"We got out of jail last week and maybe that was the kick in the backside we needed," he said with a grin. "It was a case that I did not have to say very much during the week. We went into that game a little bit lax and, fair play to Tipperary, they played very good football and were probably a bit unlucky not to win it on the day."

Tompkins admitted that Cork were more focused following that experience in Thurles last Sunday, having realised fully what their opponents were capable of.

"We had the bit between our teeth today and it was good that they went out and did the business," he said. "Everybody played very well. In fact you could not fault any player out there."

Full of praise for the whole team on what he described as a very good all round performance, he also paid special tribute to the midfield sector, so often criticised in recent months.

"It would be very difficult to single out any player for special mention on a performance like this," he said. "But I thought Nicholas (Murphy) and Graham (Canty) were excellent at midfield and that ensured we had a constant supply of good ball into the forward line.

"And there I thought Tomas McCarthy had a blinder at wing-forward. But, like I said, you could not fault any player out there.

"Anthony Lynch was really outstanding at corner-back. He had a very important role and he carried it out superbly.

"Colin Corkery is playing unbelievable football right now. I am delighted for him. He is a super captain and a great leader."

As regards the substitutions and whether or not Cork had made one too many Tompkins said a blood substitution had been introduced and all rules and regulations had been followed.

Naturally all of the occupants in the Cork dressing room were in buoyant mood as they celebrated the performance but their star corner-back Anthony Lynch said there was no point in getting too cocky on the basis of one game.

"We were really lucky last week. We should have been in the back door.

"During the week we sat down and talked about it. The fact of the matter is we were complacent," he admitted. "Okay, today we still made mistakes but we just kept playing, unlike last week when we made mistakes and we made more mistakes. It was all a matter of focus.

"All over the field we were first to every ball. The forwards applied great pressure. In the first half Philly Ryan was penalised for over-carrying the ball and that was because of the pressure being applied by our full forward line. It was indicative of how hard the forwards worked all day."

And what of his direct opponent, Declan Browne? "He has everything," Lynch said. "For his height he can jump high and he can score off the left or right. He has pace too."

Cork selector Mick O'Loughlin admitted that after the last day they did not expect it to be so easy yesterday. "We knew our fellows were much better than they played the last day. Their attitude was right going out today there is no doubt about that.

"I think it's maybe because our pride was hurt last week. They went in today and played hard football having played well below themselves last Sunday. We were very confident they would come out today because they knew they were on a hiding to nothing if they lost.

"They took the game to opposition. We were not going to allow their half backs to do solo runs up the field like they did the last day. We attacked them below in their half back line and that is where the game was won and lost."