Jimmy Barry-Murphy has put the disappointment of relegation from Division 1A behind him as he looks ahead to the Munster SHC semi-final against Clare.

The Rebel County supremo says relegation 'doesn't worry' him as the countdown to Sunday's clash with the Banner County gathers momentum.

"Being honest, nobody likes to be relegated," he said to the Examiner. "You could do without that because there's a certain tag that goes with it. I've been there before and I know what it's like to have to build up again from that.

"We played quite well in the league in fairness, though you could argue there were certain games we should have closed out and won.

"Dungarvan was one and Nowlan Park being another, we drew in Galway - we learned quite a lot from it but overall it was probably clouded over by being relegated.

"But being relegated doesn't worry me because we came back before and won leagues and All-Irelands after it. It can give you breathing space to build up with young players in a less pressurised environment."

The strength of depth in Cork's panel will be tested this weekend with Pa Cronin (illness) and the injured pair Lorcan McLoughlin and Paudie O'Sullivan ruled out.

"It's putting the gun to our head in terms of the strength of the panel. That's the reality - we've had to look at the panel, and why do we have guys in training if we're not going to play them?"

JBM is asking Cork supporters to turn out in force at the Gaelic Grounds to cheer on the team in red and white.

"Limerick is closer to Clare and they'll have a big following. I hope we'll have a big following but the Cork public, let's be honest, are probably a bit sceptical about our chances. That often impinges on the crowd travelling, but that's nothing to do with us. We'll give a right go." Tweet

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