There’s a big game in Cork but Meath have more firepower

PRESUMABLY pleased to avoid Kerry after consecutive meetings at this stage of the championship for the last two years, it’s ironic that Cork’s opposition in tomorrow’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final comes from the county which challenged them most forcibly two decades ago during their most successful era.

This is an intriguing game, from the perspective of where Cork are at, more than how Meath have progressed under Colm Coyle’s management to their first semi-final in five years.

There’s nothing certain about how the Munster runners-up are going to perform, whereas we have a fair idea of what to expect from Meath.

Kerry’s poor performance last Sunday (undoubtedly influenced by their six weeks lay-off), poses an interesting question. Have we been wrong to assess Cork potential on the basis of how well they did for much of the Munster final?

Problems which the All-Ireland champions encountered that day, a lack of stability in defence and a loss of scoring power (relative to how they performed in the second half of last year’s campaign) would seem to lend weight to that line of thinking.

While Cork displayed admirable character in Killarney and there was evidence of a greater maturity in the team, the bottom line is that the standard of their play both against Louth and Sligo two weeks ago was quite poor. Add in the enforced loss of James Masters and it suggests that the team will find it extremely difficult — if not impossible — to make it to the final.

Masters is a huge loss, given his all-round skill, the vision he displays when in possession, and, of course, his consistency from free kicks. His total of 3-27 remains the championship best and, if one excludes the 1-15 contribution from Donncha O’Connor, his total is equal to that of all the other players over the five games they have played.

Meath only went as far as the third round of the qualifiers last year before losing to Laois. Not only have they advanced from that level, but the three games they played since losing in Leinster have helped bring them on hugely from their replay loss to Dublin. Crucial to their development has been the excellence of Darren Fay (who wasn’t involved last year) at full-back and the exciting play of corner-forward Stephen Bray who has notched up 2-19. However it’s their overall strength which has impressed most — and in this regard they have been performing far more effectively as a unit.

In contrast, Cork have tended to play in sporadic bursts, sustained in the main by their defensive reliability and the dominant play of Nicholas Murphy at midfield. Their attacking play has often lacked imagination and the management admit they have yet to exploit the potential of Michael Cussen at full-forward.

It would be wrong to judge Cork exclusively on their last two games, and it would be accepted that they are more experienced as a team at this level of competition. In other words, there could be a big game in them, yet.

However, I remain to be convinced that there is. I was particularly impressed by Meath’s facility to win quality possession against Tyrone and, based on form, their attack promises a higher return.

I am satisfied that they are better qualified to advance. And I believe that they will.

* Verdict: Meath.