Pat Ryan: 'What are we going to do, fall down on our sword?'

Two summers ago, Cork lost their opening two games and still qualified. The task now is to repeat the trick. But unlike two years ago, neither of their opening two defeats came against the champions.

ON THE BACK FOOT: The Clare and Cork managers, Brian Lohan and Pat Ryan, shake hands after the Munster SHC. Pic: Ray McManus, Sportsfile

The Seán O’Donoghue sending off was a factor. Of course it was. But Pat Ryan stressed that it did not stand in isolation.

If Cork’s white flag efficiency haunted them in Walsh Park, it was their green flag wastefulness that hurt them here. They still found the opposition net on three occasions. There were six more openings, though, not taken.