Echo Sport Podcast: Previewing Cork-Limerick and assessing the state of football

The race for the All-Ireland SFC seems a bit more open following Dublin's departure but that doesn't necessarily mean that the games will be more open.

On this week's Echo Sport Podcast, Denis Hurley and Barry O'Mahony discuss the quality of the football quarter-finals and what changes might be in store for football in general and at a local level as the dust settles following Cork's elimination the previous week.

There is some disquiet among the Leeside footbaling faithful about all aspects of the sport in the county, but whether there is action, and how widespread it is, remains to be seen.

There is also a preview of the coming weekend's McCarthy Insurance Group Football Leagues but the main focus is of course Sunday's All-Ireland SHC semi-final between Cork and Limerick.

It's Cork's first appearance in Croke Park since the 16-point loss to the Shannonsiders in the 2021 All-Ireland final but they do come in to the match having already beaten the champions this year in the Munster SHC.

Can they repeat that feat or does a recent dip in form - despite wins over Offaly and Dublin - point to John Kiely's men remaining on course for an unprecedented fifth straight title? We look at the areas where the game will be won and lost and what might transpire.

Limerick's half-back line is a key weapon in their play but Cork showed with their puckout strategy in May that they can challenge strongly in that sector. Obviously, they will need to evolve their approach while there is a Croke Park aura about Limerick but Dublin's loss to Galway in the football showed that champions can be toppled.

You can find us every week on www.echolive.ie/podcast/ or wherever you get your podcasts.