Hodnett, Mulrooney catch the eye in Cork opener

Cork 1-15 Cork IT 0-11

Those at pitchside yesterday for Cork’s easy win over hosts Cork Institute of Technology in the McGrath Cup suggested the game’s importance ended with the last notes of the referee’s final whistle.

It would be hard to disagree at first glance. Cork fielded just five players who lined out in their championship exit last summer to Donegal, though they brought on three more who featured in that Croke Park defeat.