Cork need 'dogs' to lay down Munster marker

The next two weeks will be the litmus test as far as Cork's development under manager Pat Ryan is concerned, according to RTÉ hurling analyst Shane Dowling.

After easing past Waterford in round one and snatching a draw from the jaws of defeat against Tipperary last time out, the Rebels now face two tricky assignments on the road to get out of Munster.

It is likely they will need to pull off a win either in Ennis or away to champions Limerick to guarantee progress, and former Treaty forward Shane Dowling isn’t quite buying into the theory just yet that Cork are moving into a new phase under new management.

The Banner, who failed to ignite at home to Tipp before sinking Limerick in a thrilling contest nearly three weeks ago are in a similar boat to Cork, with so much on the line when the sides clash at Cusack Park this weekend.

Cork have a good recent championship record against Clare – the 2013 All-Ireland final an obvious exception – but speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, Dowling says he is reserving judgement on both sides, but in particular the Rebels.

"It’s a bit too soon to be going under the Pat Ryan-era and what Pat Ryan will do, because the funny thing is if they go down to Clare at the weekend and lose, then Limerick have a chance to knock them out of the championship," he said.

"Then all of a sudden, this was wrong, that was wrong, the same old Cork. It’s way too soon to be talking about.

"Can they go down to Ennis and win? Or can they turn over the All-Ireland champions in their backyard? That’s where you will be judged on how good a team they are."

Dowling admitted in a recent roadshow event on Leeside that he feels Cork could fall short in making it out of the province this year.

A lack of leaders in sticky situations