GAA: Cork v MayoEVERY SO often, poking fun at the Connacht championship becomes something of a national pastime and this year, the "standard" in the West was up for debate again.
This is something of an acid test. Mayo could hardly have had a more daunting draw and will have to play with extreme organisation and boldness to live with the Cork attack here. The sheer size of the All-Ireland champions is the most basic problem for Mayo, who are not a particularly big team.
However, they are sharp and have good hustlers in Alan Dillon, Andy Moran and Kevin McLoughlin. With Ronan McGarrity’s convalescence ongoing, the novice midfield pairing of the O’Shea brothers faces a daunting task in coping with Alan O’Connor and Aidan Walsh.
Mayo need goals and have a front line capable of scoring them. Cork will plan on winning while reconfiguring their attack for an anticipated All-Ireland semi-final reunion with Kerry.
The installation of Nicholas Murphy at full forward is the first experiment. It is an interesting move but the Donaghy model doesn’t always work for other players. There is no doubt Murphy has the ability to win ball but whether he has Donaghy’s rare facility to slip perfectly weighted passes to his fellow forwards remains to be seen.
Any fears that Cork will be “complacent” about this game are misguided; there is too much riding on it.
They showed signs of opening up against Down and the nightmare scenario for Mayo is they work up an early lead and then cut loose, as they did against Donegal at this stage two years ago. But this is a Mayo team that, despite its limitations, does has not given up cheap scores.
CORK: A Quirke; E Cotter, M Shields, E Cadogan; N O'Leary, J Miskella, P Kissane; A O'Connor, A Walsh; F Goold, P Kelly, P O'Neill; D O'Connor, N Murphy, P Kerrigan.
MAYO: R Hennelly; K Higgins, G Cafferkey, T Cunniffe; R Feeney, D Vaughan, T Mortimer; A O'Shea, S O'Shea; K McLoughlin, A Dillon, A Moran; E Varley, A Freeman, C O'Connor.
Referee: R Hickey (Clare).
In the Last Episode: These counties last met in the All-Ireland championship quarter final in 2002 in a fitful year for Cork – they were almost beaten by Tipperary in Semple Stadium before winning the Munster championship. Their reward for beating Mayo was an All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry. Their neighbours piled up 3-19 on a day they will want to forget.
You Bet: Cork 1/5, Mayo 5/1, Draw 10/1.
On Your Marks: The poise that young Cillian O'Connor demonstrated in his place -kicking duties in terrible conditions in Roscommon was key to Mayo's Connacht final win. This is another big day – a quarter final in Croke Park against Donncha O'Connor, one of the deftest and coolest place-kickers in the business. Mayo must take every chance given to them, so young O'Connor's accuracy will be required.
Crystal Gazing: Mayo can come out in this match and have a go with no great fear of losing; it isn't a bad position to be in. Cork may be distracted by their injury crisis and, for all their potency, they have a tendency to drift in games. But Mayo play open football and that will suit the Rebels. Cork to win by not less than five.
