Three key questions for Cork hurlers before facing Tipperary in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh

DO HOME COMFORTS MATTER?

Two wins on Leeside should guarantee Cork passage into the All-Ireland series. And possibly the Munster final.

SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh was rocking during the league but Cork's record in the round-robin stages is fairly iffy. Remarkably, they've never managed two home wins in the group in the same season.

In 2018, they drew with Limerick after beating Clare. The following year lost to Tipp and beat Waterford.

In 2022, Limerick won in the Páirc though the 'home' loss to Clare was actually in Thurles, due to a concert. The season after, Waterford were outclassed but Tipp and Cork served up a classic draw.

Then last summer, Clare grabbed a win on Rebel turf before that sensational victory over Limerick.

That's just to put a bit of perspective on the belief Pat Ryan's side are bankers to beat Tipp on Sunday and Waterford at the end of May.

The Cork fans will be a significant factor this weekend and could be needed to make the difference, given Shane Barrett is suspended and Rob Downey injured.

ROUTE ONE ISSUE?

For all the variables in Ennis, Clare's ability to raise three green flags in the second half and also earn frees from long balls swung the balance in the Banner's favour. Cork didn't concede any goals in their previous three league games but were exposed more in the the heat of championship with Peter Duggan unmarkable for spells.

Tipp were outmuscled in the league final but John McGrath, who grabbed two goals in the draw with Limerick, didn't even feature that afternoon. 

You'd imagine Liam Cahill and his players learned more from three weeks ago in the Páirc than Cork did.

They'll certainly try to get at the Rebels' last line of defence more if Downey is ruled out and won't have to deal with the same need for speed given Barrett's suspension. That should give their half-backs more time to hit the Premier inside forwards with quality ball.

SHOULD A STRONG PANEL GUARANTEE A BENCH PRESS?

Cork have a very deep squad with the likes of Conor Lehane, who is carrying an injury, and Jack O'Connor not in the 26 against Clare. Pat Ryan and his selectors had multiple options to try and hold off Clare's comeback and cope with going down to 14 but didn't get the kick they needed in Ennis.

Ger Millerick filled in comfortably at wing-back and while Declan Dalton and Brian Roche both scored, Shane Kingston and rookie Diarmuid Healy, on very late to be fair, couldn't get to the pitch of a ferocious battle. 

The management withdrew Patrick Horgan and Alan Connolly and as a result, the forward line was extremely disjointed in the closing stages, even allowing for the sweeper.

Bringing Brian Hayes out to the wing for puck-outs and leaving Connolly or Horgan at 14 might have reaped a better reward. With Darragh Fitzgibbon swapped into a deep-lying midfield role, there was a lack of leadership up top in the closing stages.

Food for thought before this Sunday.