During the week they fretted a little in the saloon bars of Cork about how their young team would acquit themselves in Croke Park on their first big adventure in the capital. Needless worry.

Some things are in the genes. Cork came, surfed through one of the best games of the year so far, and dispatched the All-Ireland champions.

The only man to have made the journey before was Brian Corcoran, whose wondrous debut year in 1992 left all who saw it with the impression that the hurling decade would be his for the taking.

Turn of the millenium and he has pared his focus down and, until yesterday, was still waiting on another championship final to come around. Yesterday he did more than most to haul Cork back to the mountain top.

"It's so long since we were there the last time that I hardly remember it, but the buzz around Cork for the last month has been unbelievable. We're looking forward to the best occasion of our lives."

Sense of occasion and enjoyment are often lost on hurlers. Inside the skin of the game, where the hearts beat faster and the blood pumps wildly, it is often hard to take stock. Corcoran felt the hurly-burly of yesterday right to the end "Things can happen in the last few minutes of a game. We had put that much into it, but Offaly just kept going. Thankfully we did enough, if we hadn't hurled to the final whistle we would have lost. In fairness to Ted Owens, though, we are very fit and we were able to keep going."

Jimmy Barry-Murphy is changing. Contrary to rumour he puts his trousers on one leg at a time, like the rest of us. Back in the big time, he's feeling good.

"Delighted," he says with a 1,000 watt grin. "All during the week I've been saying that it's just a huge step for us to be back in Croke Park. That was my ambition, but now we have an All-Ireland final ahead. I'm delighted."

The team which he stitched together with this summer in mind has proved more resilient than it first appeared.

"We had to dig deep today. We played with great heart right through the match. In fairness, we defended well and got good scores at vital stages. That took a lot of guts. I was worried when they went two points ahead, there was an element of panic in our play and we needed a goal to get back into it, but we began to get good ball into our full forward line and we turned the tide."

Barry-Murphy knew his side just had to ride it out. "There was no turning point really, it was just a slog from start to finish. We went a long time without a score in the second half and let Offaly get back on top. A lot of time the ball was coming over very easy into their forward line. The last few minutes was terrible. We played Tipp in the National League and we were two points up and conceded a goal with the last puck and it looked like something similar there, but when Joe (Deane) got the last point and put us a goal up at least it was easier."

Seanie McGrath absorbed the experience of the day and enjoyed it. Nothing about Cork suggests fear.

"We walked around Croke Park yesterday (Saturday). We got up at about five o'clock and came here. We just walked around it, no drills. Just got a feel of it. Cork had a good following today, we got over the scores early and heard the cheering and roaring. I think we did Cork people proud.

"Fantastic. My first All-Ireland was 1983 - Cork and Kilkenny. I remember being up here with my father and thinking I really wanted to be part of it, Jimmy Barry was full forward and Tom Cashman and all those players. To be involved now and for Jimmy and Tom to be selectors and to see the kind of kick they get out of it, great."

Sean O hAilpin appears to be on the fast track to a full set of All-Ireland medals. September could bring an addition to his college, minor and under-21 baubles. He knows the importance of completion. "Representing Cork in a senior All-Ireland is what it's all about. In Cork if you win minor or under-21 All-Irelands it's one thing, but what you will be judged on is winning a senior medal. You won't be recognised as a hurler in Cork otherwise."

The game had brought different challenges than the confines of the provincial game offers. Cork's escape from the neighbourhood presents new challenges.

"It was tough out there, we're so used to playing Munster hurling, but this was different, very physical but their speed of thought, their stickwork and their skill . . .

"To get a chance to play against them, great stickmen. You worry 'til the ref blows the whistle and you know you won. You always have that thing in the back of the mind and no better team than Offaly for coming back."

And with that the call comes. Closing time in the talk shop. Cork have a train to catch at 5.40. The fast track season rumbles on.