Cork GAA Talking Points: Split season must be protected, footballers flying, Limerick looming...

FOOTBALLERS IN FOCUS:

It's been a while since the Cork footballers took centre-stage. 

It's been all about the hurling this decade, with only a handful of statement victories on the football front. One of those, against Kerry in 2020, was behind closed doors due to Covid.

With the hurlers on a hiatus and John Cleary's side after winning three games on the bounce, there was massive interest locally and nationally on the clash with Meath last Sunday. The pressure was on but they delivered after a belter, which was only decided when Luke Fahy made a match-saving diving block.

When was the last time you read people on social media giving out that the Cork footballers weren't being televised? They go to Derry for a serious test where a victory would all but guarantee their promotion to Division 1 for the first time in a decade. Unfortunately, like the Meath match, it won't be screened anywhere.

They're heading off for a training camp in the Algarve before the last home league game which sensibly is being switched to Páirc Uí Rinn. 

This one doesn't feel like a false dawn. 

LIMERICK LOOMING:

After wiping the floor with Tipp in Thurles in a devastating performance which mirrored last May's demolition of Cork in the Munster round robin, Limerick reminded everyone of their depth and class.

Before a ball was pucked this year, Limerick were one of the front-runners for Liam MacCarthy. However, losing to Waterford in the league opener naturally raised a few questions. After all, they'd been beaten in three championship outings last summer, including that shock exit at the hands of Dublin.

John Kiely's side answered them emphatically in recent weeks as not only did they outclass Kilkenny and the All-Ireland champions, they did so with their younger hurlers leading the way. Aidan O'Connor has been lethal from frees but also shooting the lights out from play. Adam English, Cathal O'Neill and Shane O'Brien looked fairly unmarkable.

The return of Caroline Currid has given them a boost and they're in pole position to reach the league final, most likely against Cork. 

Last season, they weren't bothered by the secondary competition; this time they're going all in for every trophy.

All Ben O'Connor's Cork can do is look after their own patch but the first league meeting on Saturday week should be a cracker.

SPLIT SEASON:

While you can understand the argument to push the All-Ireland finals into August to keep inter-county in the spotlight for another few weeks and given the season more room to breathe, it would be a disaster for club players in Cork and beyond.

The Cork County Board have voted to shoot down any change to the calendar and hopefully the rest follow their lead.