Double pretensions or not, Corkman columnist Emmet Moloney was keen to keep the lid on the county's expectations in the All-Ireland football final. The headline - Cork's double dream would have died against any other team but Mayo - fairly well signposted what was to come. Moloney's "reality check" of a column didn't hold back any punches. "Cork played their worst 70 minutes of the year at Croke Park last Sunday. Against any other team than the inept Mayo, the double dream would have died. Anyone who thinks different is fooling themselves. Maloney isn't short on specific targets for his wrath either. The substitution of Podsie O'Mahony while Mark O'Sullivan was left on the field comes in for particular attention. It would have been manager Larry Tompkins's last act if Mayo had won, according to Maloney, who is clearly frustrated by O'Sullivan's inconsistency. "The manager's loyalty to O'Sullivan is admirable, but he is long overdue a return," concludes Moloney.

The Corkman was far from all doom and gloom. The headline on the front page of the sports section probably had a better fix on the county's mood - Nothing is beyond Cork now. Take out the now and it probably reflects the everyday demeanour of Cork folk.