The Echo Sport Podcast: Clare slow Cork hurling hype train as footballers miss great chance

What a weekend of GAA action, even if Cork fans were left wondering how they didn't get one over Clare after storming into a 12-point lead on enemy turf.

An incredible game at Cusack Park ended in a welter of excitement as a red card to Shane Barrett and the Banner's ability to land ball on Peter Duggan at the edge of the square saw Cork lucky to escape with a draw in the end.

In the long term, provided Cork can get a win over Tipperary at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh this Sunday, the result might not derail the hype train but it shows the difference between league and championship.

What lessons did Cork learn? 

Were the right changes made, especially taking off Patrick Horgan and Alan Connolly when they were moving well? 

Can they protect their last line of defence better from aerial bombardment? 

STORM

For long spells Cork hurled up an absolute storm and even after leaking two goals in the 10 minutes after half-time they managed the game quite well before Barrett's dismissal.

Regrets... the Cork footballers will have a few after Saturday night. They defied their status as rank outsiders with a battling display, twice rallying from seven points in arrears and taking over completely after Paudie Clifford was sent off but fell just short as the final whistle in extra time sounded with a Cathail O'Mahony two-pointer drifting wide.

A ridiculous red card flashed to Seán Brady didn't help their cause but John Cleary's charges were after missing 1-4 of chances in extra time before that and lost by just two having had eight more opportunities in the additional 20 minutes than Kerry.

Can they turn such a positive display into a deep run in championship? 

Last summer they defeated Donegal in the group stages but then fell short to Tyrone and Louth. The Rebels got the fans behind them and simply have to build on that next month.

If they can only raise their game for the Kingdom then they have no chance of becoming a real force.

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.

You can listen to the Echo Sport Podcast every week wherever you get your podcasts or on www.echolive.ie/podcast