The Echo Sport Podcast: Limerick loss leaves Cork fans worried heading into championship...

How concerning was that league final loss to Limerick on Sunday?

Well, and it would have been the same if Cork had completed an unlikely comeback from 10 points down in TUS Gaelic Grounds last weekend, it will all be framed by the Munster championship and especially the opening two games, up in Semple Stadium and against the Treaty in the Páirc. 

If Ben O'Connor's side are on the back foot after that pair of matches in the space of eight days, everything they've done this year so far will be questioned.

A couple of good performances and relinquishing the league crown to the Treaty will be viewed as a learning curve. 

ISSUES

However, for the moment, there are some real issues after the action on Shannonside. 

Cork only managed 0-3 from play from their half-forward line, a key sector in their previous defeats of Limerick. Three-time midfield All-Star Darragh Fitzgibbon's redeployment to number 12 didn't reap a reward here, even if Tommy O'Connell and Tim O'Mahony held their own.

Cork's half-back line opted to man-mark but there was no protection in front of Aaron Gillane, who did wreck. 

That tactic only works if Cork snare sufficient dirty ball and move the sliotar quickly out of the crowded middle third.  

Ciarán Joyce fared well in his new full-back berth but Cork missed his pace and surges from the wing. Like the Fitzgibbon switch, does his placement benefit the team?

William Buckley repaid the selectors' faith in him with 0-3 while Brian Hayes was a menace but Alan Connolly was peripheral. With Diarmuid Healy injured, they might need to start U20 Barry Walsh against Tipp for his energy. 

The Echo Podcast crew also discuss the U20 hurlers' victory over Limerick and preview the minors' opener in Waterford. 

There's also a look at the weekend league action, where a number of the Rebels who didn't feature in the squad for the league final showed their quality, particularly Ben Cunningham and Shane Kingston.

In football terms, there's a preview of another Cork-Limerick clash, with John Cleary's side raging favourites in their Munster quarter-final and a look at the U20s, who are deep in the heart of Clare on Thursday night.

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