‘We’ll make mistakes but you die in the effort of trying’

Conceding 1-26 can hardly be considered a shut-out but it felt like it.

The Tipperary attack, which put 2-29 on Kilkenny and 5-19 on Waterford in last year’s finals, was given all the space they could want to thrive, and more. But one-on-one against a Cork defence they’ve often terrified, the Rebels held firm, played from the front and got plenty of reward.

The lack of a sweeper was one obvious difference from last year. But, perhaps as much as a tactical difference, it helped change Cork’s attitude. From containing them to enabling us.