Shane McGrath: Cork need win 'financially and for the group'

Cork's start to the Allianz Hurling League proved inauspicious as they tasted defeat against Clare last weekend and with financial factors among the pressure points at play, Shane McGrath feels it is imperative for Pat Ryan's team to get back to winning ways when they take on Kilkenny on Saturday night.

The top tier of the league will be restructured in time for next year with a new-look Division 1A comprising the top seven teams.

The top three teams in 1A and 1B will be placed in the new 1A for 2025, along with the better performing fourth-placed team. The bottom five will be tipped into 1B, along with top teams from this year's 2A.

The leading counties will all be vying to secure a spot in the new-look 1A and speaking on Thursday's RTÉ GAA Podcast, All-Ireland winning former Tipperary hurler Shane McGrath said a Cork side, who he had expected would look to really target the league, are already under pressure to try on put themselves in a position to be part of that top flight.

"This Cork group, they need a national title. They have won a few Munsters but at senior level they need a national title," he said.

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"I just think Saturday night down in Cork, that this is the game they should really be targeting.

"There should be a great buzz around training this week. There should be no need to get lads going or anything like that but they have to perform.

"If a message is going to be sent out by Cork, it has to be sent out on Saturday night. If they don't get a win Saturday night - and I've