Alan O’Connor stands up in middle as forwards get pep in step

On the last two occasions the Cork footballers visited Semple Stadium, they left perplexed at just how far behind they had fallen from Gaelic football’s elite.

All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 2B CORK 2-12 LIMERICK 0-10

Last month, they were shocked by underdogs Tipperary in the Munster SFC semi-final whilst last July, in Brian Cuthbert’s final game, they surrendered meekly against Kildare in the final round of the 2015 qualifiers.