Battling Tipp fail to halt Cork run

Tipperary 1-12 Cork 0-16

Indeed, that's all this was, as All-Ireland champions Cork maintained their unbeaten run in this year's National Hurling League in Thurles yesterday, but were pushed all the way to the wire by a fired-up home side in a moderately-entertaining encounter.

There was a reminder in the chilly breeze that we're not yet completely clear of winter, yet we got a foretaste of summer in the dry pitch, the bright and lengthening evening with the turning of the clock, as both sides set about their task before a disappointing crowd of a few thousand.