Cork v Tyrone:THE MOST eagerly-awaited of this year's senior All-Ireland semi-finals brings together the two sides that have showed the most consistent form all summer. There is also the sense of uncertainty brought about by the teams' different styles and the fact they have no recent championship history.
Cork’s fortified credentials are based on the team’s greater apparent resilience over the past two seasons and the manner in which Conor Counihan has blended his own team from up-and-coming talent allied to the imposing physique of some more experienced practitioners.
Most commonly the team is noted for its size and pace. These are both important weapons against Tyrone who don’t have a conventionally big centrefield and will be vulnerable in the air.
Of course what happens when the high ball is won? In their best matches, Cork have used possession to fuel high-octane attacks from the half-backs. Limerick disrupted this but their manager Mickey Ned O’Sullivan’s theory that Cork would be vulnerable in that match because of the impossibility of playing at the pace they did against Kerry on a sustained basis was proved correct.
In the event the Munster champions escaped.
The trouble against Tyrone is that winning the ball is all too possible, as Kerry know, but using it constructively is an entirely different matter. Cork may rule the air but they can’t assume that they will control the breaks as well.
Kildare flourished in the quarter-final by anticipating this and getting Dermot Earley to flick possession to a team-mate when his landing strip looked too crowded. In the end the challengers hadn’t sufficient firepower to exploit the success of the tactic.
Seán Cavanagh has been returned to the attack with Enda McGinley back at centrefield. This brings him face-to-face with his Ireland vice-captain Graham Canty, who will test him defensively as well as marking tightly but he’s too much of an orchestrator to implement the in-your-face style that can disrupt Cavanagh.
It’s hard to imagine that Canty and John Miskella will get to make their searing breaks with the sort of facility that Donegal – or even Kerry in the replay – permitted but they are mobile and not afraid of contact.
Tyrone make one major concession to the perceived needs of the match by moving Justin McMahon out to centre back in order to counter the height and ball winning of Pearse O’Neill for whom the Cork centrefield frequently part to allow kick-outs be directed straight down on the opposition 40.
McMahon won’t have any positional difficulty but committing Conor Gormley to full back removes him as a sweeper, a role that has been important to the team.
Cork have scored well throughout the championship but can become frustrated if the match fails to flow for them. Michael Cussen on the bench could yet test the Ulster champions under quick, high ball in a manner that Kerry proved unable to do last year but the likelihood is that Tyrone’s work-rate and relentless pressing will ultimately squeeze the life out of formidable opponents.
CORK: A Quirke; R Carey, M Shields, A Lynch; N O’Leary, G Canty, J Miskella; A O’Connor, N Murphy; P Kerrigan, P O’Neill, P Kelly; D Goulding, C O’Neill, D O’Connor.
TYRONE: P McConnell; PJ Quinn, C Gormley, R McMenamin; D Harte, Justin McMahon, P Jordan; K Hughes, E McGinley; B Dooher, S Cavanagh, Joe McMahon; M Penrose, S O’Neill, O Mulligan.
Referee: John Bannon (Longford).
In the last episode: The counties have no championship history to speak of. Most recently – all of 36 years ago – Cork, on the way to winning the All-Ireland, won easily by 5-10 to 2-4.
You bet: Tyrone are clear favourites at 7/10 with Cork at 8/5. The draw is 15/2. Not much happening on the handicap with Cork (+1) 11/10 and Tyrone (-1) 10/11.
On your marks: Cork’s best displays have involved using their half-back line as a platform for attack. This requires clear superiority in the central diamond. Against Kerry and Donegal that was delivered but Limerick’s centrefield spoiled the party and Cork struggled. Tyrone don’t have the aerial power of O’Donovan and Galvin but their ground game is peerless.
Gaining ground: Although Cork are no strangers to Croke Park, they don’t have the same positive experiences of the venue as do their opponents, who haven’t lost an All-Ireland semi-final since the defeat by Meath 13 years ago. Cork could counter that they haven’t lost a semi-final here to anyone except Kerry for 14 years. But that’s still a lot of semi-finals.
Just the ticket: Stand €45 with concessionary refund available for students and senior citizens in the Cusack and Davin. Hill 16 terrace, €30. Accompanied juveniles, €5 in sections of the Cusack and Davin.
Crystal gazing: No one doubts Cork’s potential to menace Tyrone but realising such potential has never been straightforward for teams. Weather and conditions are expected to assist the claustrophobic game plan that the Ulster champions will deploy, giving them the edge.
