Tompkins not worried

As far as Cork manager Larry Tompkins was concerned, yesterday's victory in the home surroundings of Páirc Uí Chaoimh appeared perfectly legal. The invading inquisition on the use of substitutions, and more importantly the use of blood substitutions, wasn't about to derail the post-Munster title celebrations.

While accepting a blood substitute was used, Tompkins was certainly under the impression that all was within the rules.

"Well, we used three subs," he said. "We also used the goalkeeper, and then we used Diarmuid O'Sullivan at the end. So we used five substitutes, and we used the blood substitute."

That was end of the matter - for the time being anyway - as Tompkins went on to discuss the differences between this avalanche of scores and last week's draw.

"Well, I didn't have too much to say before this game. For some reason we just didn't play last week. But the bit was between our teeth today, and hopefully that was an eye-opener for the next day.

"Generally, though, we were just that bit tougher today. There was more intensity in our tackling, and all our outfield players were getting stuck in, which was good to see. I mean, we got some points as well when they had possession, and that was encouraging.

"Tipperary just never got into it, but we set out to stamp our authority on the game from the beginning. They never really got out of the blocks and got a bit frustrated after that, but we knew we had to step up from last week, and we knew we had to get a bit tougher.

"And we need this team to be playing well together, and we need to get that bit more consistency. Maybe we needed these extra games, and I wouldn't think it's going to be a problem for us."

For Tipperary manager Tom McGlinchey, the only concern in the post-match confusion was not whether Cork had broken any rules, but whether his team can now rise again to meet Mayo in the fourth round qualifier in Ennis next Saturday.

"Well, we have to sit down and have a chat about it," he said. "Of course it's going to be very hard. But we have to get our heads right. I hope these guys can realise that they are still good footballers, and they don't become a bad team overnight. I mean, there'll be no pressure on us next weekend now anyway.

"I still believe we can match it with everyone. We are still going through a learning process, and sometimes you do learn a little more from a defeat than you do a victory. We'll try to eradicate the mistakes we made here, and it is a hard experience for the younger players, but I think they can learn from it."

For the Cork players, though, there was nothing but positive talk, especially from defender Anthony Lynch - the key to containing Tipperary's main attack, Declan Browne.

"We sat down during the week and talked about it," he said, "and I think we were a lot more focused this week. And we improved all over the field. The forwards improved as well, and Colin (Corkery) was at his best too. He doesn't even need to look at the goalposts down here, he just sticks them over from any angle."