Cork v Kildare Venue: Croke Park Throw-in: 2.0, SundayINJURY CONCERNS aside, Cork should set up another All-Ireland series meeting with Kerry by Sunday night.
Kildare, like Wexford against Down, seemed to catch decent contenders in Fermanagh on a hangover from their Ulster failings the last day out. Those Ulster teams really do seem to place so much stock on winning provincial honours that they are spent of motivation come the qualifiers.
Regardless, Kieran McGeeney and Paul Grimley deserve a shower of praise for guiding Kildare to this juncture.
Cork need to bottle up midfield and the excellent Lilywhite sniper John Doyle to achieve a comfortable victory here. The absence of Nicholas Murphy, if he fails a fitness test, along with Graham Canty would be significant but the Cork bench is strong, especially forward reserves like James Masters and Fintan Goold. Michael Cussen is expected to come in from the start should either of the aforementioned fail to make it. His impact against Kerry cannot be overstated.
Anthony Lynch may be given the task of containing Doyle while Derek Kavanagh should be allowed develop as a full back unless matters around the midfield become dire.
Overall, Cork have the look of comfortable victors. They are about five years further down the tracks in physical and player development. Kildare and their rookie manager have already earned their stripes for 2008. How they cope in this advanced environment will provide a precursor to how far McGeeney can take this team on in the coming years.
CORK:A Quirke; D Duggan, D Kavanagh, A Lynch; B O'Regan, G Spillane, K O'Connor; G Canty, A O'Connor; N Murphy, P O'Neill, S O'Brien; D Goulding, D O'Connor, J Hayes.
KILDARE:TBC.
GUIDELINES
In the last episode:A few scores to settle here for those who can remember the 1956 All-Ireland semi-final, which Cork won 0-9 to 0-5.
You bet:Kildare have a four-point handicap at 15 to 2 with Paddy Power that is worth a look. Otherwise steer clear.
On your marks:Get set. As usual it is in the middle third that so much gets sorted out. Dermot Earley is in commanding form but Cork have too many options in this department even if Nicholas Murphy fails to make it to the starting blocks.
Gaining ground:There will be plenty of that People's Republic lilt around the Jones' Road tomorrow as Cork are in the two big senior games.
Just the ticket:Kildare had a valid point when they noted they are paying semi-final prices (€45) for a quarter-final as they are on the hurling undercard. Such is life as the GAA look to maximise attendances.
Crystal gazing:Cork to win because Kildare are not supposed to be here. They were not supposed to lose to Wicklow. Not supposed to beat Fermanagh. Surely, they will start to conform to everyone else's expectations.
