Cork’s minor failure symptom of major problem

IT wasn’t Cork supporters disappointed following the poor display in the Munster MHC semi-final play-off loss to Tipperary in Thurles on Sunday.

Even among the local Tipperary media in the press box, seasoned observers of the game, there was a bemusement at how far back Cork have slipped at minor and U21, two grades they had dominated for so long.

And while there is no guarantee that success in those grades will lead to senior success, nor indeed is it a prerequisite that a team must have those underage credentials to win a senior All-Ireland, there is a very definite relationship between winning at underage and going on to do the same at senior level.