O'Neill looks forward to Dubs clash

Cork forward Pearse O'Neill is expecting nothing less than a tough battle from Dublin when the sides meet in the first of the All-Ireland SFC semi-finals on Sunday week.

The Rebels prevailed by 2-13 to 2-6 when the counties last met back in March in Division 1 of the Allianz National Football League.

However, O'Neill knows league form counts for little when summer football comes around. He is also mindful of the momentum built up by Dublin in recent weeks through the back-door route.

"Any team in an All-Ireland semi-final is going to be formidable competition," he said.

"The way Dublin have progressed through the year has been exceptionally good and they are going to be very confident."

Last year's Championship ended in All-Ireland heartbreak for Cork as they lost the decider to Munster rivals Kerry. The Rebels also failed to retain the Munster title this season, but O'Neill says the disappointment which followed both of those games has been well and truly banished.

"The All-Ireland final last year and the Munster title this year - that's all in the past and we are just looking forward to the semi-final now."