Kerry found it difficult to cope with Donegal's intensity and while Cork and Mayo had convincing wins, Pat Gilroy knows Dublin must improve, writes JOHN O'KEEFFE

THE FACT that all four provincial champions emerged – with differing degrees of difficulty – from the weekend’s quarter-finals would indicate that, perhaps, the rest periods actually helped their preparations.

Unquestionably, however, Cork were the team who played the best football and who will now move on with the greatest level of confidence as the race for the All-Ireland title is reduced to just four potential champions.

In terms of work-rate and intensity, though, it was Donegal who deserve all the kudos. You just have to give them credit for achieving such a level of intensity from the start of the game to the end and I thought their tackling and defensive play was commendable. They figured out a way to beat Kerry, and did it admirably. The way they manufactured scores out of turnover ball was a part of their game that was exceptional.

This was probably the first time ever Kerry would have met such ferocity of tackling and defending. It totally upset the rhythm of the Kerry forward line. They would have anticipated such intensity but it’s not something you can replicate in training, you have to come up against it in a match situation and, on this occasion, Kerry couldn’t cope.

You have to give huge credit to the physical conditioning of the Donegal side, to be able to keep that high tempo for 70 minutes is an impressive feat. The players have bought into the manager’s philosophy.

Donegal’s style of play is a much better weapon than last year’s version. They’re actually getting men forward in attack and supporting players.

And, in the likes of Colm McFadden, Michael Murphy and Patrick McBrearty, they have formidable players who are not wasteful with their attacks. It was out and out defence last year but they’ve clearly worked on getting their structures right and have moved on. They’re a real threat to anyone for the All-Ireland title.

It’s not pretty to watch but it is a winning formula. The style of play is going to ensure frustrated opponents aren’t going to put up a big score and McFadden and the others are well capable of scoring on limited possession. Jim McGuinness has figured out a way to win games and you can’t blame him for sticking to it.

Some key things went against Kerry, it has to be said. The sideline ball for one. And, then, losing the likes of Eoin Brosnan and Bryan Sheehan to injuries. To lose players of that calibre stretched the Kerry bench and they were found wanting with the quality that came in after the enforced substitutions.

That said, Kerry didn’t have the bench to replace them and to change the outcome. It’s been a long road for some members of this Kerry team and I’m sure they’ll take their own time to make any decisions on their futures. But it is pretty obvious Kerry are not flushed with good talent coming through.

I thought the option – used more often in the second half – of the high ball into Kieran Donaghy, where he could use his height advantage, should have been more in the Kerry gameplan. They didn’t use that threat often enough but, against that, the Donegal defence was very well marshalled and we saw classic tight marking from the likes of Paddy McGrath and Frank McGlynn. Mark McHugh played the role of sweeper really well too.

Over the whole weekend, the most impressive team was Cork: their physicality, their strong running, their support play and, most of all, their ability to kick scores with ease. Cork will have difficulty working out how good they really are because this wasn’t a real test offered by Kildare. When you think of the bench Cork have, each one capable of doing a job when introduced to the game, then it all amounts to a formidable team.

Aidan Walsh had a hugely influential game. He was powerful around the middle of the field and made some great runs. Graham Canty seems to have got a new lease of life.

If you look for the best football of the weekend, it was played by Cork, with precise passing from hand and foot and accurate kicking.

They stood out. I think Cork will be happier to face Donegal in the semi-final than old rivals Kerry and the old psychological baggage that invokes.

Dublin’s performance against Laois on Saturday night could actually be beneficial to manager Pat Gilroy. He’ll be able to look his players in the eye at training and tell them that there is a huge need for improvement. I thought they were excellent defending and midfield play was good but their forward line was in disarray and that type of performance won’t be good enough to get them any further if it is repeated.

It may sound strange, but it’s actually a good position for Dublin to be in, because they are capable of so much more.

Dublin, even with Bernard Brogan having another off day and some wasteful shooting from the forwards, still had a grip on the game from start to finish.

Mayo’s win over a poor Down team had many positives for them but, unfortunately, the negative of the injury to Andy Moran will have taken some of the wind from their sails.

CORK v DONEGAL

Sunday, August 26th, Croke Park, 3.30pm

DUBLIN v MAYO

Sunday, September 2nd, Croke Park, 3.30pm