Mark Collins: Why Cork's blend of youth and experience can deliver at Croke Park

Mark Collins analyses the tactical battles, key match-ups and quarter-final storylines as the race for Sam Maguire intensifies

COMING OF AGE: Cork's Colm O'Callaghan and Tommy Walsh celebrate as Ian Maguire looks on. Pic: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

THE 2026 football championship has shifted a narrative that lingered for too long. No more hurling’s poor relation, Gaelic football has burst into life with renewed energy, edge, and identity.

I shared some of the scepticism at the FRC’s rule changes, but the impact has been impossible to ignore. Allied with the revised championship structure, we have had more jeopardy, more variety, and more games that have felt genuinely alive deep into the second half.

Even the Monday morning draw has become part of the drama again. The latest edition certainly delivered, with four fascinating contests, starting with a golden opportunity for Cork and Mayo.

This Cork group has yet to secure a breakthrough win at Croke Park, but there are reasons to believe that could change today. There has been a consistency to their performances throughout the league, and they now have two significant championship wins behind them.

Beating then favourites for the All-Ireland, Donegal, in Ballybofey was a huge statement and a show of this side’s belief. Following Division 2 promotion, the next step has to be a big win at HQ to reach another landmark of real progression under John Cleary’s stewardship.

There is a different feel about the Rebels, between the spread of leadership and the age profile.

Ian Maguire, Ruairí Deane, Brian Hurley, Brian O’Driscoll, and Micheál Aodh Martin have been central to Cork football for the past decade and remain hugely important figures within the dressing room.

This year, however, a new layer has emerged. Daniel O’Mahony, Tommy Walsh, Colm O’Callaghan, along with the likes of Mark Cronin and Chris Óg Jones, are now at an age and stage of their careers where they are becoming leading figures in their own right.

That balance between experience and players coming into their prime could prove crucial.

Standing in the way are a high-pressing, hard-tackling Mayo side that bear all the traits of their leader, Andy Moran.

I remember playing Mayo in the 2014 quarter-final and I couldn’t believe how hard we found getting the ball out of our defence. The tackling and ferocity of the Mayo forwards was something I hadn’t come across before. Andy is ingraining that in his Mayo team.

What makes today’s opening quarter-final so interesting is that Mayo will press high, but if Cork can be comfortable on the ball and get out, they will create chances at the other end.

Mayo goalkeeper Jack Livingstone has been excellent in his rookie season.

Not only will his shot-stopping be put to the test today, but also his kick-outs.

Cork’s press is a big strength, so it will be intriguing to see if Livingstone can replicate the variety he supplied against Meath. Or will he go back to the safer, longer kicks we saw against Tyrone on his debut?

In terms of critical match-ups, we have to start with Steven Sherlock, who has been an incredible addition for Cork this year.

Who will Mayo have pick him up and can they limit his two-point threat? Will they go with team captain Jack Coyne or will they trust impressive newcomer Eoin McGreal, who did a great job on James Conlon of Meath last week?

At the other end, Mayo’s top three of Darragh Beirne (taking it that he is back fit), Ryan O’Donoghue, and Kobe McDonald are electrifying.

Daniel O’Mahony is typically tasked with the opposition’s top man, which would mean O’Donoghue. But O’Donoghue positions himself deeper at times, so Cork could opt for Maurice Shanley to follow with a brief of curtailing his influence.

It has the makings of a captivating battle.

Mayo won’t fear Cork. They will carry serious physicality and belief to Croke Park. But Cork are a team with momentum, confidence, and enough threat to find the goals they will likely need.

The second part of today’s double-header, the match between Kerry and Tyrone would appear the most straightforward tie of the weekend — on paper.

The way Kerry opened up Armagh last week has rightly positioned them as All-Ireland favourites.

Tyrone have improved steadily since the league, but will need to take another leap forward.

Kerry excelled on both sides of the kick-out contest against Armagh. Despite Shane Ryan’s return to the panel, Shane Murphy will retain his place after such a composed performance.

Tyrone have one of the country’s best goalkeepers in Niall Morgan. His ability to vary the kick-out, find runners, and relieve pressure will be vital.

If Tyrone are to have a real chance, they need to more than break even on Morgan’s restarts and turn that area into a source of advantage.

There have been many shocks in this year’s championship, but it would be a major one if Tyrone were to overcome their old rivals.

Speaking of goalkeepers, Rory Beggan’s availability will be key to Monaghan’s prospects tomorrow. While there was optimism about his fitness after beating Westmeath, a leg injury is not ideal for a keeper on a short turnaround.

Stephen O’Hanlon has been superb, not only as a man-marker but in how he contributes going forward. His potential assignment on 2024 All-Star Craig Lennon would go a long way to shaping the outcome of the game.

Fitness concerns also dominate the build-up to Dublin against Galway. If Con O’Callaghan’s extra-time departure proves a hamstring issue, it would be a significant loss.

Dublin’s experienced players once again drove them over the line against Donegal, with the likes of Ciarán Kilkenny, Brian Howard, Niall Scully, and Davy Byrne stepping up when it mattered most.

Can they go again after such a demanding game?

Galway are capable of putting up big scores. Their challenge will be tightening up at the back.

After a very difficult week for the county with the sad passing of former All-Ireland winner Paul Clancy, a slightly fresher profile will help them get over the line.