Cork footballers always seem to be nearly men after more disappointment against Kerry

The Cork footballers have officially reached the last chance saloon, as the hurlers look to add a Munster title to the league crown they already collected this year. 

The year is certainly hotting up.

Kerry pulled away from Cork quickly in the end at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday as Cork's missed goal chances and Kerry's excellent long-range kicking ensured the result was only going one way.

It's a straight knockout game against Roscommon now next weekend to see whose season continues.

Cork can send their thanks to their conquerors from last week, Meath, for getting a draw with Roscommon up in Hyde Park on Saturday, as that result means Cork's faith is very much in their own hands going into the final weekend.

The Rossies looked likely winners entering the final ten minutes, as they had the strong wind at their backs and all the momentum, as they had come from five down to lead down the home stretch.

Meath's Ruairi Kinsella hit the equaliser before Roscommon missed three chances to win it and after the hooter went they actually had the goal at their mercy only for some last-ditch Meath defending to save the day. 

If Cork are to prevail they should certainly be thanking Meath defender Sean Rafferty for his heroics. Cork now know that their final match against Roscommon is an old-fashioned knockout tie and so they can prepare accordingly.

You can't help but think that this Cork team are always the nearly men. 

It just seems that they are always close to making the next step in their development, but keep falling short.

Yes, there are good days, such as the wonderful win over Donegal last year, but even that was then followed by the disappointing showing versus Louth, which meant the season fizzled out.

DIFFICULT

They have now played four games in this year's championship with them losing the last three. And the margins of the three losses have gotten bigger as well, so it's getting difficult to paint a positive picture.

The backs are to the wall now though, with this likely to be the end for a number of this if the game ends in defeat. 

That fact alone should ensure there should be no lacking in of motivation.

Cork saw off Roscommon in a preliminary quarter-final two years ago on Leeside by 1-14 to 0-16. 

A repeat result would be very much appreciated, although the key scorers that day Steven Sherlock and goal scorer Conor Corbett are not currently involved.

Before we get to that showdown we have the small matter of a first Munster Hurling final in seven years for Cork to negotiate as they face a Limerick side going for an unprecedented seven provincial titles in a row.

Cork got a right land when Limerick dished out a 16-point trimming in the round-robin clash and they will certainly be keen for there to be no repeat of that long afternoon.

Limerick managed a huge 3-26 that day while limiting the much-vaunted Cork attack to a mere 1-16 as Cork had system failures all over the pitch.

Pat Ryan and his side will certainly be looking to show themselves in a better light this time around, although with the prospect of a third, and ultimately more important, fixture between the counties in Croke Park in July looming even this provincial final has a strange air about it.

Without doubt Cork will be looking to add a Munster title to their league crown, but a loss would not be the end of the world, as long as it isn't of a similar nature to the one a few weeks ago.

We can expect Cork to have plans to dilute the twin influences of Kyle Hayes and Cian Lynch, as both did huge damage to Cork the last day and can't be allowed to dictate the game in that manner again.

Cork got cleaned out on puck-outs that day too. Those stats will have to be much improved if Cork are to be competitive. The game seemed to be more important to Limerick as they simply could not contemplate losing a third championship game in a row to the Rebels.

They were much more tuned in, bringing their A game to proceedings. 

A key barometer for the motivation of sides is in the numbers each team gets in and around every ruck.  In that respect Limerick murdered Cork, having more bodies around every contest. 

Cork must change that narrative on Saturday and bring the intensity levels that are required to survive a tussle with this great Limerick side.