All-Ireland SFC quarter-final Sligo v Cork: Gavin Cummiskeytalks to Billy Morgan about Cork's continuing progress

In July 2004, just moments after Cork were removed from the championship by a vibrant Fermanagh - who became the fairytale of that summer - a solemn Billy Morgan spoke about the rebuilding process the county would be forced to undergo.

The day of reckoning is now upon them.

Kerry have thwarted their development on several occasions, most notably the last two All-Ireland semi-finals, but three years on Cork football finds itself renewed.

Granted, they only won a single Munster title, which they relinquished this season, but if they can beat Sligo on Saturday another opportunity presents itself.

They have contested the last two All-Ireland semi-finals, well, they were physically present but never threatened to leave a lasting memory.

The Cork County Board initially gave Morgan a two-year term. Fermanagh's subsequent progress put a gloss over the 2004 collapse but the first year didn't really count (Ger Loughnane and John O'Mahony would like the sound of that). Then he received a two-year extension. Now Morgan is here.

"That first year we had to give the players from the previous regime a chance. At the end of that year we realised we would have to start from scratch so we did," said Morgan.

"We scrapped . . . well, a lot of them went and we kind of went on our own. We are now a much better team than three years ago. We are a much better team than last year so we are developing all the time. The under-21s winning the All-Ireland proved Cork football is in a healthy state no matter what we did this year.

"We've given a good account of ourselves against Kerry, with the exception of the All-Ireland semi-final two years ago. Last year we were much closer even though we lost by six points.

"The goal is to get up there with them. I think we are not too far off."

Kerry are on the other side of the draw now. If Cork beat Sligo on Saturday, the winners of Tyrone and Meath face Morgan's men in the last four.

Sligo have not been given a prayer - again. Morgan has been around long enough, experienced enough footballing shocks, from both sides of the fence, to ensure this general opinion has a few holes in it come 2pm Saturday.

"Everyone expected Roscommon to beat them. Everyone definitely expected Galway to beat them and at half-time it looked like they would; turning around to play with a strong breeze with only a point behind. Sligo's defence was very strong and they all seem to work for one another.

"Like Louth in the previous round (who Cork only overcame in the last quarter), they were regarded as the easiest team which is false.

"They are very well organised. They have a good system and they work very hard.

"Also, I do know Sligo were hoping to get us in the draw so they think we are a soft touch as well.

"I know that's true. They wanted to get us."

Maybe so but this, folks, is the definition of mind games.