GAELIC GAMES:THE MEETING of Dublin and Cork in tomorrow's All-Ireland football semi-final at Croke Park promises to be a fascinating encounter but it's unlikely to be a free-flowing, open game. On the evidence of the Dubs' better performances in the National League and through the qualifying rounds of the championship, I'd expect them to pursue a policy of flooding the defence with sheer weight of numbers and squeezing the space for the Cork forwards.

It was a successful gambit the last day against Tyrone and I’d expect them to adopt a similar strategy. They’ll definitely tweak one or two things and I doubt they’ll be as generous in ceding possession to the opposition’s short kick-outs.

That’ll be an interesting facet of the game because down the other end of the pitch Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton has distributed the ball with great intelligence and accuracy. Conor Counihan will have warned his forwards to be vigilant in terms of the quick kick-out, preferring a contest for possession in the middle third of the pitch where his team is strong aerially.

Cork are an excellent running team in terms of carrying ball and this poses a problem for their opponents as Dublin were badly exposed against Tyrone in terms of their tackling. Too often a player went high in the tackle and they cannot be similarly lax again tomorrow.

Referee Maurice Deegan’s interpretation of the rules and how he implements them with regard to the tackle and yellow cards will have a major bearing on the outcome. Cork must realise they will never have a better opportunity to win an All-Ireland given the absence of Kerry and Tyrone at the penultimate stage of the championship.

Psychologically I am expecting them to step up. A player who might have a significant impact on the mental side of affairs tomorrow is Graham Canty. Counihan’s decision to name him in the team would appear at face value a huge fillip. He is the team’s leader. Knowing the medical team in Cork, he won’t be allowed to start unless he is 100 per cent fit and I think that’ll be determined by a late fitness test for both Canty and Ciarán Sheehan.

Introducing Canty from the start and then losing him to the hamstring injury shortly afterwards would have a deflating effect on his team-mates whereas introducing him in the second half of a tight game would have an uplifting impact on those around him. My suspicion is that he’ll be held in reserve.

Cork are very fortunate in terms of the depth in quality in their squad: they have eight players for six places in the backs, the same ratio in the forwards and four excellent midfielders for two slots in midfield. I am slightly surprised Nicholas Murphy doesn’t start but his long-standing back problem and the impact he’s enjoyed when introduced previously probably swayed that decision.

As a team, Cork have to shake off a pedestrian and at times one-dimensional approach, much like they did in the second half against Roscommon. They need to play the game at a higher tempo, look to move the ball more quickly with 30-yard foot passes and try to isolate the Dublin full-back line in a series of one-on-one contests.

The team’s main failing in the matches to date has been the forward unit. There are too many hit-and-hope pot-shots from long range. They have got to show more patience and work their opportunities. It’s about making one or two more passes to create more straight-forward shooting chances. Pearse O’Neill is an exception; a dynamic, direct runner who creates havoc and has great vision. Others must respond in a similar vein.

No one could have anticipated the manner of Dublin’s revival after the Meath debacle and, for that, Pat Gilroy and his management team deserve great credit. The work ethic is exemplary and Dublin play as a team with everyone pulling their weight. Gilroy has shown himself to be shrewd in using the panel, replacing players when they run out of steam.

Cian O’Sullivan is named at left-half back and may play there, although switching him to his more familiar role of centre-half back would allow Ger Brennan to use his excellent football and distribution skills further up the pitch.

There is a selflessness about Dublin’s half-forward line, epitomised by Niall Corkery who runs himself to a standstill. The introduction of players with finishing prowess, Paul Flynn and Conal Keaney to name two, when the game opens up has had a significantly positive impact in recent matches.

The Dubs will need to support Bernard Brogan and Eoghan O’Gara to better effect if they’re to prevail. They’re going to have to come out of that tight defensive shell at some point and support the inside players. In that respect, Alan Brogan will be a pivotal operator if his team is to excel. The Dubs need to find about 1-14 and can expect Bernard Brogan to be responsible for most of it.

Cork just appear to have slightly more scoring options in the forwards and more depth in terms of quality on the bench. Providing they absorbed the lessons of last year against Kerry, sustain the intensity for 70 minutes and keep the tempo of the game high then I’d expect them to squeeze through – but only with a point or two to spare.