Jimmy Barry-Murphy was pensive in the dressing-room. "It's not really happening for him at the moment," he said, "but we wouldn't be worried about Joe for the championship." He was talking about Joe Deane's flat display in the National Hurling League match against Tipperary last April. On Sunday, three months later to the day, the Cork manager's long-term equanimity was proved to be well-founded. "That was the best game I've ever seen Joe Deane play," was how he described his full forward's performance against the same opposition as Cork retained their Munster hurling title.

Reflecting on a satisfactory outcome yesterday, Barry-Murphy was convinced of the reason for Deane's improvement. "We never had any doubts about Joe but he desperately needed a rest.

He's a great young fella and he'll play every game you ask him to and maybe we took advantage of that. He's been playing league for five years non-stop. He needed a break."

The Cork manager was particularly pleased with his new centrefield selection, Derek Barrett. "I was thrilled at how well he played for someone making a debut in that position. There had been a lot of talk about John Leahy's strong performances for Tipperary, but Derek has a really good record for us.

"All through the National League, he played well and it showed that you actually can bring players on from the league. He gave us every reason to play him and I was delighted with how he took the chance."

In the same sector, Pat Ryan's performance when he came on gave the Cork selectors something to think about - according to Barry-Murphy - after he had been dropped to make way for Barrett.

The s team's attack was the main force behind the high-scoring victory over Tipperary and Deane's partners in the full forward line, Sean McGrath and Ben O'Connor, both played their part with three points each from play - despite reservations about their form. Admittedly, in McGrath's case the basis for this was a club match on a tight pitch with a poor supply of ball.

"At this stage I don't read too much into club form," said Barry-Murphy. "The team has been together for a while and know each other well."

Management's only regret was that centre forward Fergal McCormack stayed on too long after a nasty head wound. "I think we should have brought him off earlier. Con Murphy (the team doctor) was saying that there should be a rule that a player is allowed go off for stitching and return to the field. It was a bad gash which looked dreadful and can't have helped his concentration."

The attack's prolific display was needed, as the defence didn't have one of its better days. This was a surprise given that the backs as a unit have been the most highly regarded sector of the team. The right side of the defence was the main problem. Superb against Limerick, captain Fergal Ryan and Wayne Sherlock had their work cut out on Sunday against Eugene O'Neill and Brian O'Meara.

"In fairness to Wayne, he was injured last week. We weren't keeping it a secret because it wasn't going to prevent him playing but he didn't train with us last week. It's no harm in some ways because they've been so written up, and a bit of a setback will help them concentrate again."