Cork hurling talking points: Pressure is on now to deliver silverware

DROUGHT:

Having won the league and All-Ireland in 2024, relegation might have been disappointing for Clare but won't have any impact on their confidence next month. 

The Limerick squad is laden down with medals and John Kiely clearly had no interest in reaching the league final given their team selection and performance against Kilkenny.

For Cork, it's been seven seasons since their last Munster title, with two All-Ireland final losses and a league final defeat in 2022 for good measure. 

This group, and the county, badly need a trophy. 

That Cork haven't landed the league since 1998, when Pat Ryan was a player, is crazy.

Would being crowned league champions ease the pain of last July? Not really but beating Galway and Tipp before the championship opener on Easter Sunday in Ennis would give the Rebels serious momentum.

NO HOLDING BACK:

When Cork outgunned Galway in the league two years ago with Sean Twomey and Conor Lehane bagging two goals apiece, they were in experimental mode. Conor O'Callaghan, Eoin Roche, Sam Quirke, Cormac Beausang and Colin Walsh all featured.

While the management have looked at their options across the spring and championship starting positions are up for grabs, they've a clear vision. 

On Saturday night in what is effectively the league semi-final, 12 of the All-Ireland line-up are selected. Also included are the vastly experienced Damien Cahalane, Ethan Twomey and Brian Roche.

The bench is loaded with game-changing options, even with Robbie O'Flynn and Ger Millerick unavailable.

Ultimately, Cork's season will hinge on ending 20 years of hurt and bringing Liam MacCarthy back to Leeside but they have to go flat to the mat from here.

SATURDAY SPECIAL:

The Cork County Board made the right call fixing the three home hurling league games for Saturday nights under lights. The appeal is reflected by the 20,000-plus at the matches this spring.

The league game in February against Limerick was marred by the rain and the forecast isn't great for Galway's visit but the atmosphere should be cracking regardless.

SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh has hosted some stone-cold classic Munster Championship jousts and putting the Tipp and Waterford games this season on Sundays is a missed opportunity. 

There is a chance the league final with Tipp, should Cork avoid defeat to the Tribe, would be in the Páirc. Cork beat the Premier in the 2012 league semi which was held in Thurles. That suggests the next knockout league meeting will be on Leeside. Or the counties could toss for home advantage.