Countering Dublin’s early offensive the key to a Rebel win

TOMORROW the All-Ireland senior football championship enters a new and critical phase. For the first time since 1999, neither Kerry or Tyrone are present in the last four stage.

The pressure has now shifted onto the team who challenged them the most in recent seasons. If Cork are to capitalise in the absence of rivals, their form needs to improve, starting with tomorrow’s semi-final. The bursts of power this season, Killarney in June and the second-half in Croke Park three weeks ago, have been too intermittent. Tomorrow they must prove that the hectic schedule in July was responsible for any dip in standards.

Conor Counihan has claimed that not having a fit squad this year has been a consistent problem. That selection headache continued this week and there’s a strong chance the Croke Park PA system will be announcing Cork changes at 3.20pm tomorrow afternoon.