Niall Moran feels the Cork hurlers should adopt a more direct style as they seek to find the consistency of performance needed to end their wait for a trophy.
On Sunday, the Rebels took a big step towards securing their place in Division 1A next season by beating Waterford 1-21 to 1-19 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh but only after seeing a 10-point lead almost disappear in the final quarter.
"It was tight on the scoreboard but with 15 minutes left it wasn't tight. Cork were well ahead and Waterford were very lethargic," former Limerick star Moran told 2fm's Game On.
"Waterford lost and it puts them under pressure to stay in the top tier for next year.
"Pat Ryan knows he has talent, people in Cork and around the country know it, but being consistent over the course of 70 minutes, let alone over the course of the championship, is what they are striving to achieve.
"When they played the direct ball a bit quicker they were really really good. When they were safe in themselves and went across the pitch they drew trouble on themselves and lost momentum.
"I think they're going to have to be brave as they go forward to try and be consistently competitive, and what Cork people want them to be, successful."
It has been six years since Cork won Munster, 19 since they last lifted Liam MacCarty and 26 since finishing top of the pile in the league.
Can the playing group and management handle the pressure of expectation from the fans of hurling's second most successful county historically?
"It’s a team still trying to find its identity," suggested Moran.
"They need to achieve big wins and even a little bit of silverware. A National League would probably go down a treat. It would be a great starting point.
"Obviously they are craving an All-Ireland, it’s nearly 20 years since the last one.
"I do think he is on the right path, but he has a lot of guys that are younger, coming off the back of those U20s and minors, and then guys at the other end like Conor Lehane, Patrick Horgan, Seamie Harnedy, who weren’t seeing out that particular game.
"The ownership of the team will have to come from more than just Ciaran Joyce in the younger lads.
"There were signs of that. Jack O’Connor showed his ability with 1-03, Brian Hayes got three good points, a big physical presence."
Meanwhile, in Chadwicks Wexford Park, the hosts secured an impressive draw against Clare, that keeps them well placed to secure the third-place finish that guarantees a place in the 2025 top flight.
Only the fourth-placed finisher with the best record from Group A and Group B will advance, though with Dublin's scoring difference currently -28 that could well come from Group A.
"Wexford were again down a number of key players, Rory O’Connor, Conor McDonald, Liam Óg McGovern," said Moran. "But even with the loss of Lee Chin [to injury in the 26th minute] and they were four or five points down they rallied.
"They’ll a rue of couple of missed chances, they could have come with away with a win that could be vital.
"But Keith Rossiter will be happy because they have been very competitive. That division is definitely the tougher of the two groups.
"It’s been a really good league for both these teams."
