Subs arrive to guide Cork out of the ‘bearpit’

Longford 1-6 Cork 2-9: From limp to lively, Cork reached the last 12 of the All-Ireland SFC — the first time they have done so without reaching the Munster final since that glorious season of 2010.

And there’s where the comparisons with their last annexing of the Sam Maguire Cup should stop. But if you must, that qualifier run six years ago was a time for healing. This is one of discovery for a team that does not yet know itself.

Beating lower divisional sides in July 2010 was simply taking care of business. The expressions on the faces of the victorious camp on Saturday suggested this latest win meant more than another jumped hurdle. They were relieved that they didn’t become the latest notch in Longford’s belt of qualifier victims but just as comforted by the fact they recovered so convincingly after quite a horrid start.