Salthill air gives Jimmy Barry Murphy a spring in his step

He’s some man. Less than 20 minutes after the final whistle here, Jimmy Barry Murphy was showered, changed back into civilian clothes and out again strolling along the Pearse Stadium pitch.

He was conversing with Joe Canning, the Cork manager looking closer to 45 than the 60 he turned last August.

The trademark pleasant disposition and trademark smile was on display too and no wonder. As he’d point out himself: “This has been a difficult venue for Cork teams, always. Our record isn’t the best here.”