CORK are likely to be without a number of key players for next Sunday’s crucial league clash with Limerick at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2pm.

Cork lined out last Sunday in Mullingar against Westmeath without Sean O’Donoghue who is on the injured list and he is likely not to feature for a few weeks.

Kingston and his management team are already without Mark Ellis who is a longer term injury absence, while Darragh Fitzgibbon hobbled off late in UCC’s thrilling Fitzgibbon Cup victory over IT Carlow and he was also an absentee in Mullingar. He is likely to miss out too for the visit of John Kiely’s men to Leeside.

Adding to the problems for the Cork management in the aftermath of the hard-fought victory over Westmeath was the sending-off of Damien Cahalane and the 12th minute injury sustained by Conor Lehane after he had scored two points. His hamstring strain will restrict him for the coming weeks.

Alan Cadogan missed the trip to the Midlands too, but he should be okay for next Sunday.

Cork introduced Robert Downey and Niall O’Leary during the victory over Westmeath and both are likely to be in from the start against the reigning national league champions.

Shane Kingston is likely to return after his significant contribution to UCC’s Fitzgibbon Cup triumph while Robbie O’Flynn will be back in contention too.

The management, while pleased with securing the league points last Sunday, will be looking for more from their attacking unit against Limerick.

There was an over reliance again on Patrick Horgan to post the scores against Westmeath and he contributed 2-8 to the victory, all from placed balls.

Four of the starting forwards didn’t score, with Bill Cooper scoring the third goal in the 3-12 to 1-14 victory.

Cork did the league and championship double over Limerick last season, producing their two best performances of the year in those victories.

Cork, Limerick, and Waterford are all on four points in the league campaign, but Cork have a game more played after the Limerick and Waterford fell foul of the weather as did the Galway-Tipperary encounter.

Waterford play Galway next weekend while Westmeath take on Tipperary in the other Division One games.

In Division 1B, Clare are the clear leaders with six points from three games ahead of Kilkenny, Wexford and Dublin, who are all on bracketed on four.