Maurice Brosnan: The Rebel unravelling begins and ends with Premier poise  

Code red, the worst kind of chaos. Try to keep the ghosts of prior failed voyages and another long winter out of mind. Wait! Are you absolutely certain you didn’t leave the oven on before you left? This is how fast Cork descended.

THE TIPPERARY GIFT: Eoghan Connolly in control during the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final, Croke Park, Dublin. Pic: INPHO/Bryan Keane

Wheeling away with both arms aloft, completely at ease. The long-awaited spark has ignited a red fire. There’s a roar. Shane Barrett is still celebrating. Patrick Horgan is letting Rhys Shelly know all about it. Tipperary dash down the tunnel. Cork are cruising.

They are six points up and strong favourites in a showpiece that has arguably only had one significant upset in the 21st century. League champions. Munster champions. One foot on the steps. Little do they know it, but the whole structure is about to collapse from beneath their feet.