Cork can keep up the momentum

THERE was always the strong possibility that Cork would get this far, having progressed through the qualifier route twice in recent years and similarly come through as Munster champions in 2006.

Given the circumstances of their remarkable victory in Páirc Uí Chaoimh five weeks ago, they have a lot to live up to in Croke Park tomorrow and if — as seems likely — they renew their rivalry with Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final in two weeks time, a much more serious test awaits them.

Potentially, they are good enough to be included among the top five, but in real terms, they are behind both Kerry and Dublin in the sense of having the overall strength and the consistency to survive the toughest challenges.

Kildare won’t be easy opposition, as Fermanagh found to their cost last Sunday, even though the northerners were bound to have been affected by the loss of the Ulster final replay the week before.

For Kildare, it represented a much more satisfactory return from a team which seriously under-achieved against Wicklow in the Leinster championship.

And it showed how much they have benefited from Kieran McGeeney’s management, admittedly after taking a good while to get the team playing to the best of its capability.

With earlier wins over Cavan and Limerick confirming their progress, the most impressive feature of their win last weekend was the composure they showed when they were in danger of falling out of contention.

They defended well and, with John Doyle once more giving valuable leadership up front, they had the confidence to convert good possession into scores.

Cork’s cause won’t be helped if Nicholas Murphy is unable to line out, because while he was poor by his high standard in the Munster final, he has a good record in Croke Park (except when opposing Darragh Ó Sé).

Nevertheless, Conor Counihan has options among the starting 15 and on the bench and his absence wouldn’t unduly weaken the overall balance of the team.

Bigger questions will be asked about their ability to perform to the same high standard which propelled them from a weak position at half-time in the Munster final to be able to mount a formidable challenge which had the effect of virtually suffocating Kerry in the second-half.

It won’t be easy to replicate that, but provided they can play to their strengths — by moving the ball quickly out of defence and gaining a good spread of scores — they will prove too strong.

Verdict: Cork