Turmoil in Munster. For Clare and Waterford, recent weeks have brought tense tidings as poor showings in the Championship led to inevitable criticism.
Throughout GAA history, teams in poor form have had to deal with questions about their skill and will.
Coming into last weekend, both Clare and Waterford needed a response and both suffered a heavy loss. The Déise went down fighting against a talented Cork outfit, but their biggest statement came before the tie.
After much speculation about the relationship between players and management, Waterford left the field and ran over to the dug-outs to stand with the coaching ticket for the national anthem.
Both teams did the parade.
Cork stood out on the field.
Waterford walked over to Fanning.
Limerick hammered Clare by 18 points which also resulted in widespread criticism. It prompted Clare communication's manager to call on the county to come together.
It was an issue the lads discussed at length on this week's GAA podcast, the Three Man Weave.
Full discussion: 52.50
Mick: I was watching the match at home and you do have this urge to tweet whatever, a lot that I wanted to say about the performance. A part of me just wanted to hold back. I don't think I'd like Tony Kelly to open Twitter and see someone say he was shit or he didn't try.
One, we're a fan of this guys. Two, they are unbelievably good. I mean in context, Derek McGrath said it to us as well. These are committed, really good, solid young guys doing their best. They're more hurt than anyone. They're overtrying if anything. It doesn't have to be about amateurism. Yes, they are playing a public sport and we need to analyse it. But you can reach a level and be unfair.
Waterford made an All-Ireland final in 2017. They had 10,000, 20,000 people come out and greet them in their city after. They haven't performed since but do you think that doesn't bother them? I don't think anyone needs to be calling them names or suggesting they've nefarious attitudes.
Maurice: "It's always the same with GAA players criticism. Waterford spent a week hearing all accusations. It's hard to read what went on there, they've flattered to deceive. I think that was a statement what they did at the start of the game. There is a threshold in terms of criticism, I wonder has it been passed with examples like that. There's a balance to be struck with all this stuff."
Mark: Sometimes as well, when it looks like lads aren't trying or are asleep and you hear shouts of 'wake up! wake up!' That can sometimes be more of a confidence and overthinking it. Even in training drills, you'd notice if you give a bad pass, you're thinking 'should I have done that' or 'was there a better option?' One mistake follows another because you're lost in thought while the game goes on around you.
Enda McNulty used to say a match is for reaction. After the match is for analysis. It shouldn't happen while you are playing but it's human nature to analyse what you just did. It can be hard to understand that.
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