Banner braced for Cork backlash

CLARE are bracing themselves for a Cork backlash in the second round of the All-Ireland Qualifiers in Ennis on Saturday.

The Banner County recorded their first ever win in the back door system when they accounted for Sligo in the opening round, but manager John Kennedy is aware Cork will be an entirely different proposition as they seek to bury the bitter taste of their disappointing loss to Kerry in the Munster semi-final.

"Cork are a massive step up," explained the Kerry native yesterday. "Kerry and Cork are the traditional top teams in Munster, even if people say Cork weren't too good in Killarney. Any Cork team with Billy Morgan has that something extra as well and they'll be determined to make up for their performance the last day.