Five reasons behind Cork football's growing momentum

What exactly is different about the class of 2023 that they hold a genuine belief Derry can be out-thought and a first All-Ireland quarter-final win in 12 years can be achieved

THAT WINNING FEELING: Cork manager John Cleary celebrates winning. Pic: INPHO/Evan Treacy

This weekend last year, Cork fell by 11 points to Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-final. After the game, John Cleary gave his view that Cork were “a mid-to-lower Division 2 team” who were “nowhere near” the game’s standard-bearers. The county’s league status hasn’t changed in the 12 months since, but so much else about them has.

Cork were grateful for having got as far as they did last summer, but not tactically, physically, or psychologically equipped to go any further.