Westmeath captain Clarke hits out at timing of Cork tie

Westmeath captain Aonghus Clarke has hit out at the timing of Sunday’s All-Ireland preliminary hurling quarter-final with Cork, claiming the short turnaround is ‘unfair’ on his county. Westmeath came up short for the second year running in the Joe McDonagh Cup final last weekend and have been afforded little time to mull over the loss to Laois.

They will be back in action this Sunday against Cork, who finished third in the Munster championship, while McDonagh Cup winners Laois play Dublin, the third placed Leinster team. It will be Cork’s first game since wrapping up their Munster campaign on June 16 against Clare, a 21-day break between games compared to Westmeath’s mere seven.