Joe Canning shows but TJ Reid seals his golden gong

TJ Reid and Joe Canning. One of them came to Croke Park as the Hurler of the Year elect, the other as not even a nailed-on All Star. One of them scored the first goal, which mattered a little, the other the second goal, which mattered not at all.

One of them left Croke Park a winner and still the Hurler of the Year elect, the other a loser and still without an All-Ireland senior medal.

Which of them was the guy who landed three points in the first half and was adamant he’d struck a fourth? Yes, that’s right: Canning. The bottom line rarely tells the whole story.