JOHN Cleary isn’t entertaining any talk of Cork footballers having an open run to this year’s Munster senior football final.

With All-Ireland champions Kerry on the opposite side of the draw, Cork’s path to a first provincial decider since 2021 appears favourable, but Cleary insists his focus is fixed solely on Limerick in this Sunday’s quarter-final.

The winners at Páirc Uí Chaoimh will face either Waterford or Tipperary in the semi-final and, with all three teams on Cork’s side of the draw set to play Division 4 football next season, it is no surprise the Rebels are being tipped to reach the final.

Fresh from promotion to Division 1, Cleary’s side must now deal with the pressure that comes with being favourites.

‘To get where we want to get to, this type of challenge comes up as well as the 50-50 challenges,’ the Cork boss said.

‘We’ve done a good bit of work on Limerick. We know what they’re like – we play them fairly often and, on their day, they can be a match for anyone. Last year they were within a kick of a ball of winning the Tailteann Cup.

‘I know it was experimental teams, but they did beat us in the McGrath Cup early in the year. Look, we are forewarned – if lads aren’t on their guard or if they aren’t right for the game, Limerick won’t lie down.

‘We’re expecting a big challenge from Limerick.’

Cork have beaten Limerick in the past two Munster championships, winning 0-24 to 0-13 last season after a 3-13 to 0-11 victory the previous year. The odds suggest Cork can make it three wins in a row and move a step closer to a provincial final that carries an added incentive this season: home advantage in the opening round of the new All-Ireland series.

‘That opportunity is there, but that’s for down the line,’ Cleary added.

‘Our total focus is on Limerick. We can’t look one inch beyond Sunday because we have a job to do.’