Rebels grind it out to keep the Faithful down

OKAY, on that scoreline it looks a comprehensive win, and it was, eventually.

But when it takes your team nearly 50 minutes to get to grips with what is now the fifth-best team in Leinster, and when that team is also riddled with injuries, you can’t be overly impressed.

Denis Walsh wasn’t. Even as supporters swarmed onto the pitch of O’Connor Park in Tullamore on Saturday evening after this first-round All-Ireland qualifier win, the Cork manager remained aloof from the excitement and with good reason.