Cleary's Cork maturing in going 'toe-to-toe' with top teams

Cork are in a better place from last year with recent win over Mayo the turning point for John Cleary's side.

MATURING: Cork manager John Cleary believes playing top sides is helping his side mature. Pic: ©INPHO/Evan Treacy

It’s revealing how few similarities there are between Cork’s quarter-final journeys this year and last.

Cork haven’t been to Croke Park since the 11-point last-eight defeat to Dublin 12 months ago. They return to GAA HQ this weekend with ambition and expectation considerably raised.