Just how far has Cork hurling fallen?

Empires rise, and empires fall.

As Tipperary supporters exited Croke Park after their county won the 1971 All-Ireland final, they’d have laughed if someone suggested they’d be in the wilderness for 18 years.

In the ’60s they’d won seven Munsters and four All-Irelands and must have felt comfortable looking forward to a similar future, having just beaten their bitter rivals, Kilkenny.