Morgan wary of ‘Fermanagh factor’ against Sligo

CORK boss Billy Morgan is fearful that qualifier opponents Sligo have the potential to do “a Fermanagh” next Saturday.

"Cast your mind back just 12 months ago and people were saying the same about Fermanagh and we all know what happened in that game. We'll have to be very careful on Saturday against Sligo. We'll have to be up for this game like we were for the Munster final against Kerry, if not even more.

"No disrespect to Sligo but I was half hoping we'd draw Derry because at least you would have to be at your very best against them. The disappointment of the Munster final defeat by Kerry is behind us and we've had time to focus in on the qualifiers. The response from the players has been very positive and they are looking forward to proving their worth in the All-Ireland series."

Morgan also welcomed the news the game will be played in Portlaoise.

"It means we can now travel by train on the morning of the match and get in some football practice before the game. Also with three Cork teams playing at the one venue it guarantees us plenty of support. It's a very good venue from our point of view."

There is no senior football championship history between Cork and Sligo, or National League for that matter, and they haven't met since 1975.

In Saturday's other game, Cavan travel to Dr Hyde Park to meet Mayo while Croke Park plays host to a double header seven days later when Laois tackle Derry and Monaghan face Tyrone in the championship for the first time in 17 years.

It is eight years since Cavan last got to trot out onto the Croke Park pitch and selector Michael Reilly was fiercely disappointed that his side was yesterday denied the chance to bridge that gap.

"Croke Park would have been more suitable for us. We have a big support in Dublin and for people in south Cavan, in places like Virginia, Baileborough and Ballyjamesduff, Dublin would be far more accessible.

"It's 1997 since Cavan played in Croke Park, when we were Ulster champions, and we would have been hoping to have maybe 15,000 people there. If the other counties brought something similar you'd be talking about a crowd of maybe 50,000."

Mayo manager John Maughan however is quite happy with the location.

"There will be a huge crowd in Roscommon for the match," said Maughan. "I would have had no problem in playing the game in Croke Park but Hyde Park suits both teams from an economic point of view. As we saw with the crowd at the Ulster replay anyway, Saturday games find it more difficult to draw big crowds unless Dublin are playing."

The Saturday Game Live Round 4, All Ireland Football Qualifier between Cavan and Mayo will be broadcast by RTÉ on Saturday.