Revenge on Rebel minds

By Shaun Cronin, Head Sports Reporter, Twitter: @ShaunCronin7

As a journalist you try to be fair and unbiased in how you preview and analyse games but outside that you also have a life to live.

This particular reporter has no problem in admitting that away from his post he unashamedly uses his holiday days as Cork supporter.

On the 26th of August last year, at around 5pm in the evening I sink into my seat stunned at the display of pure athleticism that had dumped my county out that the semi-final stage.

I turned to a friend of mine and said “I don’t care who wins the other semi, (Mayo would defeat Dublin a week after), there’s your All-Ireland winners”.

The Donegal team I saw in Croke Park that day was an unstoppable juggernaut and they deservedly went on to claim Sam Maguire in September as I predicted.

No doubt it was a crushing defeat for Cork who would have fancied their chances given the experience advantage they held on the day but Donegal’s All-Ireland win was written in the stars, something the Tír Conaill supporters seemed to know on the day as they turned Croke Park yellow.

Cork and Donegal meet today for the first time since that semi-final on what could prove to be a pivotal encounter for both sides National League campaigns.

Sitting on the same points after four games whoever wins will be on the right path for a semi-final spot while the loser could be dragged into a relegation battle.

Cork kicked off the League with defeats to the Leinster duo of Kildare and Dublin but have picked up some hard won points away in Down and Tyrone.

While the Rebels are picking their form up, Donegal have found the League to be a mixed bag.

Defeat at Croke Park to Kildare wasn’t the start to the League Jim McGuinness would have wanted but a win over Down next day out steadied the ship.

Things fell apart in Tyrone for Donegal as Michael Murphy saw red and McGuinness’ men slipped to a four point loss, again they responded well battering lowly Kerry in Ballybofey.

Keys to the game

To decide where I think this game will be won and lost I chose to go watch last year’s semi-final over again in its entirety and I would like to invite you to join me in some video analysis (I’m fair from Pat Spillane I know).

Above you will see the first quarter of the second half, what I believe was the turning point of the game last year.

Cork had played a good first half picking holes in the blanket defence but it all changed for me in this period.

Right in the first couple of minutes you can see the pressure the Donegal backs had the Cork attackers under and that is clearly illustrated when you see seasoned campaigners like Graham Canty and Paul Kerrigan taking on what a plainly crazy shots because they have no other option.

If Cork are to win tonight the will need to cut out the slow, laboured and primarily handpassing build up they like to utilise.

All it does is give Donegal a chance to get men behind the ball, (see between 5.35 – 5.50) break up the Cork attack and rampage down the field.

It’s key for the All-Ireland champions is to continue doing what they did well last summer, which is when they win possession persist in driving onto the handpass on the angle (see from 8.40 – 9.15) to cut through the Rebels defence.

The Walsh – Murphy – Kavanagh axis leading up to Anthony Thompson’s point is stunningly good and would tear apart any team.

Finally, we have been lead to believe the Donegal defensive system is perfect, it almost is, but there is a weakness and that’s when a team releases a direct ball early too a dangerous forward.

Colm O’Neill’s goal (shown below) late in the contest proves you can just about find a chink in the Tír Conaill armour.

Both teams are have done a lot of experimenting lately, however the respective managers know what’s on the line tonight with Donegal even flying down to Cork showing how serious they are.

Home advantage might just tell for Cork and a bumper crowd is expected at Páirc Uí Rinn as the contest forms part of a double header with the hurlers who play Clare.

Cork will be looking for a small bit of redemption and the form of Aidan Walsh will be key for them.

While Donegal will be looking to ram home the psychological advantage they currently hold over the Rebels and Michael Murphy will be central to that, having already hit 1-23 in the League so far.

All this for me makes Páirc Uí Rinn the place to be tonight.

Prediction: Cork win by 2 - 4 points.