It's a long year. It's hard to keep form going. Waterford and Meath both won their leagues, turned in fine championship performances and fell at the critical time.

After the hype comes the reality check. Defeating Cork after a replay was huge for Waterford but only got them to a semi-final.

Meath had two high-profile epics with Dublin and then exciting wins over Galway and Tyrone. Cork had trotted along with low-profile wins. Cork were waiting after low-key wins over Sligo and Louth.

It goes to show that what we base predictions on is often faulty information. I've always said people make a mistake if they judge a game's merits on whether or not it was entertaining. Hard, dour struggles will prepare a team for battle far better than high-scoring, free-flowing fare.

Last year's All-Ireland semi-finals were an example. The Kerry-versus-Cork game was dour and attritional while the Dublin and Mayo game got everyone carried away and was touted as one of the games of the decade.

Yet our semi-final was the perfect preparation for the final. It was less flamboyant. It was tougher. It was less talked about and it kept fellas' feet on the ground.

In the championship, winning any game is just a means to an end, a chance to improve and iron out problems. You have to build up gradually. Meath on Sunday were back at the lofty heights they had last enjoyed in 2001, when they beat Kerry in the semi-final.

That day their supporters did the olé olé olé thing as we suffered. Yet it was they who were heading for the exits early in the final as Galway came good at the right time, having been beaten in Connacht.

Winning championships is all about coming good when it matters. We are talking about amateur players here. There will be blips along the way.

It is unlikely any Christmas cards will ever pass between myself and Billy (Morgan) but you have to respect the passion he has for Cork football. He learned a lot last year and when Kerry beat Cork in Munster this year he seemed less disappointed than many expected he would be.

Being praised like Meath were this summer feels good at the time but it seeps into the psyche and softens the resolve. Players aren't insulated from loose talk. The siege mentality is a safer bet. Cork listened to a lot of criticism this summer.

No better man than Billy to thrive on that.