Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Cork left asking 'what now?' once again

A sickener of a defeat against Louth means the Rebels will have to reflect on any progress made this year.

OVER AND OUT: Cork manager John Cleary in Inniskeen. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

The eternal 'what now' question is relevant on Leeside again this morning, following their defeat and exit from this year’s championship in Inniskeen. This one will really hurt. Deservedly there has been plenty of positive noises about Cork signalling that they have been going in the right direction since they righted the ship mid-may through the league. They have looked more like themselves and the swagger of old was returning. The Donegal win felt significant. 

Losing to Kerry and Tyrone would have been within the acceptable margin of error. Losing to Louth in a game they should have won isn’t. John Cleary has deepened his squad, mixing the old and the new. The injury profile of some of their players doesn’t help them. Brian Hurley looked as if he was minding his hamstrings and tried to affect the game with his nous, determination and experience.