Three talking points: Preseverance pays off as Cork out of relegation zone

John Cleary probably wouldn’t say no to Cork ending up fifth knowing it should all but secure their Sam Maguire Cup status.

TALKING POINTS: Tommy Walsh of Cork shoots to score his side's first goal, under pressure from Mick O'Grady of Kildare. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Open slather.

A pall of doom had hung over both teams before throw-in but the terms of engagement were open slather. Save for the expanse of the pitch and perhaps tradition, neither team had given any indication it would be as free-flowing as this. Naïve perhaps but not so nakedly offensive.