The League being the League, managers are always looking for added value in matches - even semi-finals. Results don't have the overwhelming significance of the summer. Look below the surface.

Cork's new man in charge Bertie Murphy won't say no to a bit of silverware in two weeks' time but immediately after yesterday's bloodless triumph, other things occupied his mind. He reflected on the improvement in form since Tipperary came to Cork a fortnight previously and took the result at the wire.

"We needed better workrate and to be more convincing taking scoring chances. We had unbelievable wides the last day but we upped that big time in the first half.

"The two wing forwards scored seven points from play and you'd have to be pleased with that. It was more important for us to perform than Tipp because they have a very settled team, whereas if we lost again today there'd be a lot of question marks. We're glad to be going on to play Kilkenny because we haven't played them for a while.

"We'd only one of the All-Ireland winning full forward line of three years ago playing today. The lads who came in did very well and we scored a lot.

"There's more than one person fighting for a number of positions. I think the defence is very settled - we're very pleased with the defence."

Fergal Ryan was one of those who had so pleased his manager. A barnstorming first 35 minutes gave way to a less dominant second half but the left corner back was pleased with the prospect of another big day out.

"An extra game is the best preparation. When we were coasting in the second half we let things slip just as we did against Tipp two weeks ago. Thanks be to God we got a few points that pulled us away at the end again.

"Concentration levels dropped because we were so far ahead. You won't get 70 minutes out of anyone but we let it go for 15 minutes and that could have been worrying in a closer game.

"We made the best of what ball we got. The scores showed that up to half way through the second half. We also brought in a couple of new players. John Gardiner did well at midfield and Kieran Murphy in the forwards."

Tipperary manager Nicky English has four weeks to sort out preparations and injuries before the latest instalment of the now perennial rivalry with Clare.

Although he acknowledged the unreality of it all, English was impressed by Cork. "They looked a bit ragged at times but by then the match was over. To be honest, the match was over at half-time. They're going to be a force. They showed they had hunger and I expect they'll be in the Munster final."

Tipperary did a lot last year for the respectability of the League by winning both NHL and All-Ireland. This time around, though, the team needs some rest and a break from a hectic schedule.

"We go back and the lads go back to their clubs and we get down to championship training," English added. "Hopefully, we'll be a different outfit on the 19th of May. We need to get all our team back. We were depleted today to be honest, although it was a good chance to see Seamus Butler and Paddy O'Brien. But we need our full team back. It's going to be a battle royal here on the 19th of May. We'll be ready for it."