Beforehand, collective opinion gradually came to realise these teams might be impossible to separate. After 35 minutes they’re sticking to the script.

Cork hold the narrowest of leads following a thrilling first half that saw the sides level on no less than ten occasions and never with more than 2 points separating them. At the break the score was 0-15 to 1-11 in Cork’s favour, with a David Treacy goal from Dublin the major talking point.

Treacy burst towards Anthony Nash’s goal and let a perfectly executed volley go from his right boot. That score put the Dubs ahead by 1 point, but as the scores continued to go over at either end it was Cork who reached the break with their noses in front by the finest of margins.