Tony Considine: All these red cards are ruining hurling, Cork won't be reading much into Tipp rout

We were all looking forward to Cork and Tipp on Sunday but it was ruined from the very start.

As we all know, teams are always hyped up, ready for battle, a good bit of pushing and shoving. Or what used be called a schemozzle. Darragh McCarthy, only 19, was very unlucky to be the one sent off. From what I could see there was at least five players from both sides having a cut at one another.

How you could pick one individual out? Seems a bit unfair to me. I didn't see anyone seriously injured. Personally, I felt it destroyed the game for me and I'd say for a lot of the crowd as well.

Everyone in hurling, and I'm talking about real hurling people here, loves to see a manly fair contest. 

We did not get that in this game as Cork overran Tipperary in every department, getting the freedom, not alone of Páirc Uí Chaoimh, but of the whole of Cork city.

From Patrick Collins out, Cork were completely dominant, spraying ball all over the pitch, moving with great purpose, and creating space everywhere with that extra man, putting the Tipp backs under pressure and getting around them with ease.

Brian Hayes, Patrick Horgan and Alan Connelly caused real damage with every ball they got.

I think the line outside them was excellent. Declan Dalton, Darragh Fitzgibbon and especially Seamus Harnedy, who is still a real leader of this team. He was a completely different player to the player we saw in Ennis a week ago, full of running and taking and making scores at will.

With Cork in such dazzling form, their six forwards flying, and the extra man at the back, there was no way they were going to allow Tipperary into this game, even though Tipp kept tipping over points. 

Once Cork got the three goals this game looked more like a challenge match.

Cork were just going through the motions. Anytime they wanted to get a score, they got one. Even the crowd went a bit dead.

I also watched Waterford and Clare, and a good win for Waterford against a very tired-looking Clare team, both games were very poor. We would not want to get caught up with all this hype about Munster hurling.

I know big crowds can cause all that, and maybe some expert opinions can cause it too, but I believe there was some poor hurling in both. You could say, defending was non-existent, scores conceded way too easily. And I don't think that will be changing any time soon. Everyone wants to get on the scoreboard now, even the goalkeeper.

ROOM TO IMPROVE

Cork are in the driving seat now with a three-week break. Is that a plus or a negative though?

Sometimes it can prove both. Pat Ryan knows that a lot of improving will have to be done if Cork are to win the big one.

And let's be honest that is their objective. It is the only thing that matters for them. A lot of minefields to be negotiated yet. And not all in Munster.

Pat will have a selection headache the next time picking his best 15. A lot of players putting their hands up. A great problem for any management team to have.

I have heard a few people talking about intimidation on the field of play. Any player playing inter-county hurling should not be intimidated.

It's a tough gig, you have to be well able to stand up for yourself, and all inter-county players are able to do that. I have never seen an inter-county player going out to injure someone intentionally, and more so now than ever before, but that does not say that you won't stand up for yourself.

Cork, like any other county, are well able to do that. It is a real manly game played in a proper physical battle, and it is great to see that from all counties. That is why we all love the hurling so much at every level. Long may that continue. Sportsmanship of the highest order.

The big question now is which three teams will come out of Munster? Still a lot of twists and turns to come.

Cork must be the happiest at the moment as they top the table, but they know, and we all know, they have a huge game next time against the Munster champions going for seven in a row. Tipp have to go to Ennis in a winner-takes-all.

What great games to look forward to, and do not forget Waterford. So all five teams in with a chance. No one talking about winning Munster... does that matter anymore?

In my opinion, it does.

The other thing, is getting out of Munster. Anyone's guess now. Remember Leinster is similar. So all beware.