The Echo Sport Podcast: Cork hurlers refuse to yield to Limerick again; footballers caught late on up in Down

The Echo Sport Podcast takes in all the Bank Holiday weekend GAA action, toplined by the hurlers draw with Limerick and the footballers' trip to Down.

Now in its third season, every week Éamonn Murphy will be joined by The Echo team including Barry O'Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field.

Few league games were as hyped beforehand as Saturday night in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, between the controversy over the lack of TV coverage and talk of a 30,000-plus crowd, which ended up being a still incredible 23,402. The game wasn't as high-scoring as expected but the weather was a factor and it still finished in a whelter of excitement.

What did Cork learn? Tim O'Mahony was the standout performer but Ger Millerick, Niall Mellerick and Ciarán Joyce were prominent too. Apart from leaving too much space for Will O'Donoghue's goal, the defence was solid.

Darragh Fitzgibbon did damage in the half-forward line but is he a championship option as free-taker? And what about the rest of the forward line, which only hurler in fits and starts.

Injuries up front are now a concern as well, with Padraig Power and Conor Lehane withdrawn and Ben Cunningham now facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after another hamstring injury on UCC duty. Seamus Harnedy is out for the next few weeks with a thumb injury too.

Limerick were down a host of marquee hurlers but John Kiely's demeanour on the sideline showed how much this game meant to the Treaty. Normally fairly laid back, he was in snarling form, picking up a first-half yellow card and arguing calls throughout.

FLASHPOINTS

Referee Seán Stack tried to let the game flow initially but with the off-the-sliotar flashpoints and torn jerseys that approach didn't work. A few harsh decisions irritated the home supporters but Limerick were left fuming when Cork were awarded a soft free late on for Fitzgibbon to level.

Up in Newry, the footballers were sickened after failing to build on a 10-point lead in their Division 2 defeat against Down.

Cork scored a 55th-minute goal through Sean O'Donnell which turned into a four-point play when the hosts protested the score and the ref awarded a tap-over free which Mark Cronin converted. John Cleary's side failed to raise a flag from that stage.

The result means they simply have to beat Westmeath in their next league fixture to stay in the race for an overdue return to Division 1.

This week the Echo Podcast crew also discusses the financial issues from the Páirc rebuild that continue to generate unwanted headlines and the Fitzgibbon Cup knockout stages which involve UCC and MTU Cork.