Cork v Waterford: This clash wasn't foreseen and I believe Waterford would have preferred to test their progress against Wexford this weekend.

They took their eye off the ball, literally and figuratively, against Clare and there has been plenty of rumblings from within the county. Disharmony must be put aside if they are to have any chance tomorrow.

A lot of hurling experts over the summer said the qualifiers were the best route for Waterford. I totally disagree. They are a confidence team who need to win and keep winning. Last year they lived off the fumes generated by victories over Clare and then Tipperary. It took them past Cork in the Munster final before the momentum was stalled by the six-week break. They then gave Kilkenny a half-hour start in the All-Ireland semi-finals and only one forward, Paul Flynn, decided to hurl. They desperately need him to shake off a thigh strain.

If Waterford had won Munster this year they wouldn't have been waiting around for six weeks. Instead, they came via the qualifiers by beating Offaly and Dublin. Big deal. They had one real test against Clare and failed it. Now they are facing into an All-Ireland quarter-final against a Cork team who are only too aware there are no second chances.

Cork manager John Allen delivered the Munster title at the first time of asking but the team still received criticism at home for taking their foot off the pedal against Tipperary.

Maybe they thought the game was won at half-time. That will ensure they come out all guns blazing.

Also, Diarmuid O'Sullivan will improve on his last performance and things are looking bright when Wayne Sherlock is forced to wait in the wings.

They say it takes four scoring forwards to topple Cork or Kilkenny but Waterford will need everyone to perform. Eoin McGrath is gone so Flynn needs to produce another huge display that also requires scoring contributions from John Mullane, Dan Shanahan, Séamus Prendergast and Micheal Walsh at centre forward.

Against Offaly, Walsh scored four points in the first half and played a significant role in setting up others. I doubt he will cause that sort of damage against the Cork half-back line. We saw a supreme display from Eoin Kelly against Cork the last time when he landed six points. Such dominance will not be allowed again.

Mullane has been too quiet recently. He needs to prove he is still a top corner forward. Also, he is easily riled and can expect a torrid time from defenders. This is his chance to repay Waterford for last year's sending off and subsequent suspension.

Another problem is the full-back line. Waterford can forget about it if they give Cork a similar start as the previous meeting. Fergal Hartley will have sharpened up since but after 14 or 15 years hurling the legs simply refuse to move any quicker. Brian Corcoran will match him for strength. For Fergal's sake, I hope his decision to return is a success but I fear the worst. It's frightening to consider Cork can still go up a gear. Ben O'Connor, Timmy and Niall McCarthy don't miss much anymore.

Whatever is in this Waterford team needs to come out. I still don't think it will be enough, as they needed to come into this match with their tails up. I can't see anything other than a Cork victory but I expect a great Munster-style battle.