An old U2 song comes to mind...

@John Fogarty I think the collapse is the focus simply because it doesn't gel with the last three encounters at all. Not surprising so many conspiracy theories being aired on 7.05 out of Heuston last night.

Wouldn't say Tipp collapsed either John - that was destruction, deliberate and planned!

Did a very quick run-through the Kilkenny team yesterday: Av age, 27; oldest player, Henry (33); players OVER 30 - two, Henry and Brian Hogan. A few more on 30, all those still in their considerable prime.

Fancied Kilkenny but not by that margin. Hype doesn't suit most counties but greatly affects Tipperary. Had a relative looking for All-Ireland final tickets last Monday!!! I don't want to take anything away from Kilkenny but Tipperary played into their hands to a certain extent, especially with the Corbett tactic.

Good point by Daragh. We all acknowledged after the Munster semi-final that it was fairly lightweight stuff. Then some of us went and deceived ourselves into thinking that Tipp had improved...

That is very true John. Look at how many All-Irelands Tipperary have won since the '60s.

@Daragh Ó Conchúir . . . down across the knuckles . . .

@Daragh Ó Conchúir To quote Enda McEvoy's book, when class came into it . . . .

What I mean about the number of All-Irelands is that they look like having a great squad, win an All-Ireland and don't really follow it up. Whereas Kilkenny, Cork tend to get at least a couple.

@John Fogarty Lar got into the 21 three times - a pass to Pa Bourke (free), challenge on D Herity (goal) and reverse pass to Gearoid Ryan (?),. shot into side netting.

Surely it was always going to be a strong possibility - at least - that Cody would go again with Jackie trailing Lar everywhere he went? In that case it's Lar's job to make Jackie's job more and more difficult - take on the challenge.

In a wider sense this asks a perennial question: does the player have to follow instructions to the letter, even when those instructions aren't working out? Or should he take the initiative and act unilaterally?

Didn't Lar realise the optics of it, attempting to move away from Tyrrell after being defeated by him last year? He lost that battle and now the war too.

Lar should have accepted the Jackie challenge, if you like, not run from it (literally, as opposed to figuratively) to try to take on Tommy instead. Kilkenny won that battle hands down, up, out, sideways, crossways.

Declan Ryan's suggestion that Tommy didn't play well in the first-half wasn't a great one. If you wanted to negate him, Bonner Maher was the man. He came out even with Walsh last year.

Agree with that Enda; this was Krakatoa, neither sight nor sound left of Tipp when the dust cleared. Expect to see promotion for many of the minors sooner rather than later.

Padraic Maher has already apologised today for the defeat. He's the next Tipperary captain for me, although he was very fortunate to stay on the pitch.

@Michael Moynihan I don't know. Enda's point is a good one. But that 23-point defeat was game over after a few minutes. It was the longest hour in history for anyone from Waterford thereafter and while Kilkenny kicked on, they wouldn't gain as much satisfaction from filleting poor old Waterford as Tipp. At least Tipp were in the game - albeit very fortunately so, at half time.