John O'Keeffe Football Analyst: Cork have been here before and that is why I'm going against the grain on this one.
Meath arrive at this juncture on a marvellous run of form but experience counts for so much at this stage of the championship. The bones of this Cork team are playing their third All-Ireland semi-final tomorrow and they also bring the added motivation of last year's agonising defeat to Kerry.
With experience comes a settled team. Billy Morgan has been able to name players in certain positions, particularly the back line, where Cork have arguably the strongest unit of six in the land.
This brings us to the key match-up: Cork's battle-hardened full-back line against Meath's young, talented and chillingly accurate full forwards. I believe Michael Shields, Graham Canty and Kieran O'Connor can hold the Meath snipers to a minimum. Shields looks likely to be handed the responsibility of taming Stephen Bray. Tyrone's famed corner back Ryan McMenamin failed in this task but the Dromore man's impulse to attack proved his undoing. Shields's primary instinct is to stay tight to his man.
The only reservation I have about the Cork half backs is they seem too anxious to attack. This will play right into the Meath half-forward line's style of hassling and turning over possession - be it Anthony Moyles, Graham Geraghty or whoever leads the line.
When half backs pour forward it leaves a chance for a quick counterattack. This is Meath's forte. They'll deliver quick ball into the inside forwards with efficient, long kick-passes. Meath players are generally good at winning 50/50 ball. They always played a direct game under Seán Boylan, and Colm Coyle is of the same lineage.
Shane O'Rourke is Meath's tallest inside attacker and has improved with each game of a remarkable journey for someone so young. He plays, and moves, like his dad, Colm, and I think he will eventually become a better footballer. But he will find it hard tomorrow to get the better of Canty. Overall, I see the Cork backs edging an enthralling battle.
James Masters is not an incalculable loss either. Yes, he is Cork's primary scorer but I always feel when Masters is on the field Cork's attacking strategy is somewhat one-dimensional. Nearly every attack seems designed to end up with Masters in possession and range; the other forwards seem reluctant to have a go. It mostly works but when Marc Ó Sé bottled up Masters in recent times it proved disastrous for Cork.
All six forwards will have to take responsibility for scoring if Cork are to progress, but the ability is there. I cannot understand why Daniel Goulding has been passed over until now, given he has proved himself a quality forward at under-21.
With Masters gone, the Cork forwards may play more for each other and that will lead to a wider spread of scores.
My feeling is, assuming Darren Fay and Moyles are fit to hold the middle, that Cork will raid down the flanks. Moyles is named at centre forward but I see him spending more time than usual at centre back.
The high ball into Michael Cussen has not worked this year, be that the fault of the delivery or the greater preparedness of full backs since Kieran Donaghy wreaked havoc in 2006. Either way, a high ball to the full forward will suit Fay.
Otherwise I have been impressed by Cussen; he has plenty of pace and was hugely influential when switched to midfield against Kerry - going higher than Darragh Ó Sé on several occasions.
As for the midfield battle, only big men need apply. This will be a ferocious contest in the clouds, but, of course, possession will only be won by whoever dominates the breaking ball. Nicholas Murphy is the best fielder in the country but the Mark Ward-Nigel Crawford combination has improved dramatically since Dublin's Ciarán Whelan and Shane Ryan exposed their lack of mobility. A decent Galway pairing and an All-Ireland-winning Tyrone pair were no match for them. Yet Cork can edge this battle thanks to the Cussen option, the fierce industry of Derek Kavanagh and Pearse O'Neill's contributions on the deck.
Another battle that deserves a 70-minute player-cam is Geraghty versus Noel O'Leary. It seems inevitable these two enforcers will lock horns at some stage. But it will be a day for cool heads. Discipline will have a major bearing on the result, so Geraghty needs to set an example for younger team-mates when it comes to temperament. It's almost a given at this stage he will contribute in the scoring and creative stakes. He remains as important as ever to Meath's progress.
Cork are attempting to avoid a three-in-a-row of defeats, and crucially, it's not Kerry they're facing in Croke Park. Meath, despite growing confidence, remain in transition and this day may have come a year too soon. The younger Meath players can be exposed, while Cork's time is now. They have the quality, and equally important, the maturity that comes with age. A massive drive is required from every man, but they have that within themselves.
