Walsh: Cork public are as hungry as ever

DURING the darkness that haunted Cork hurling in recent seasons, the prospect of an All-Ireland semi-final tilt at Kilkenny would have been regarded as hugely appetising.

Now that Cork find themselves two days away from a chance to halt Kilkenny’s bid for five-in-a-row greatness, there may be a temptation to suggest that they are free from the shackles of expectation.

But that attitude flies in the face of the thinking of manager Denis Walsh. He does not countenance the view that Cork supporters are focusing on the future of this team rather than trading in the immediacy of results. Now that Cork are back immersed in competitive action, expectations have been restored to traditional levels.