Jackie Tyrrell: More grounds for optimism in Clare than Cork

Jackie Tyrrell says there's more room for optimism in Clare than Cork as the counties prepare for a massive Munster SHC clash this weekend.

Both sides came away from the opening weekend of the provincial championship without any points as the Banner lost out to five-in-a-row chasing Limerick, while Cork's defeat to Waterford was more of a surprise.

If there's to be a loser at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh then their chances of a top-three finish in the round-robin will be minimal.

After this weekend, Clare have fixtures to come at home against Waterford while they finish their campaign with a journey to FBD Semple Stadium to take on Tipperary.

For Cork, they'll welcome Limerick to the banks of the Lee on 11 May before, like the Banner, ending the round-robin with a trip to Tipp.

For Tyrrell, who won nine All-Ireland medals in black and amber, Clare have the slightly easier run in, and are at a higher level than Cork.

"People in Cork aren't very patient," he said on the RTÉ GAA Podcast.

"They expect to be contesting for Munster Championships and All-Irelands. If they get beaten this weekend it's a long way back.

"If Clare were beaten you could see them somehow getting back into it. If Cork are beaten I don't see where the results are going to come from.

"Clare hurled well for 55 minutes [against Limerick]. They'll probably start Tony Kelly, there are some green shoots. They need to address that collapse and what it looked like, and make sure it doesn't happen again.

"So there is something for them to build on."

Cork lost two games last year and ended up finishing fourth in the Munster table, thus missing out on a run in the All-Ireland championships.

Their solitary championship victory in 2023 came against Waterford, so the reversal