All-Ireland SHC semi-final
Dublin v Cork
Sunday, 3.30pm
Croke Park, Dublin
Ref: James Owens (Wexford)
Latest from the medics and management…
Dublin boss Anthony Daly has kept faith with the team that propelled them to Leinster title glory. It’s five weeks since their last competitive clash but the Clare man has put his trust in the side that swept to success against Galway in last month’s Leinster final.
It’s a case of as you were on the Cork side as Jimmy Barry-Murphy names an unchanged side from that which got the job done against Kilkenny at the All-Ireland quarter-final stage. 10 of the team started in last year’s semi-final loss to Galway while Daniel Kearney came on as a late substitute.
The interesting news is the inclusion on the bench of Brian Murphy. The experienced defender looked to be ruled out for the season after damaging his shoulder but he has recovered quicker than expected and is named amongst the substitutes.
Dublin: Gary Maguire; Niall Corcoran, Peter Kelly, Paul Schutte; Stephen Hiney, Liam Rushe, Michael Carton; John Mc Caffrey, Joseph Boland; Conal Keaney, Ryan O’Dwyer, Danny Sutcliffe; David O’Callaghan, Paul Ryan, David Treacy.
Cork: Anthony Nash; Stephen McDonnell, Shane O’Neill, Conor O’Sullivan; Tom Kenny, Christopher Joyce, William Egan; Lorcan McLoughlin, Daniel Kearney; Seamus Harnedy, Jamie Coughlan, Pa Cronin; Luke O’Farrell, Patrick Horgan, Conor Lehane.
Cork’s Brian MurphyPic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Checking the odds…
There’s little to seperate this pair. Cork are priced at evens and Dublin are priced at evens. The draw is on offer if anyone wants to go for it at 10-1.
Clues from the form guide…
Dublin enter this game in the interesting situation of having to cope with a hiatus from action since their July 7th victory against Galway. That is in sharp contrast to the punishing schedule they endured before that game of playing five matches in a 29 day period.
Dublin improved progressively during the month of June and digging out wins in tight situations against Wexford and Kilkenny clearly emboldened their side.
For Cork it has been a campaign that has swerved in several directions. There have been lows like the relegation decider against Clare and the Munster final against Limerick.
But there have also been highs like the Munster semi-final against Clare and the All-Ireland quarter-final against Kilkenny. And it is that latest success which has fueled the hopes of the Rebels that they are capable of delivering.
Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
The game breakers are…
Dublin’s central figures in defence – Peter Kelly and Liam Rushe – have been outstanding this season and that spine is critical to their ambitions tomorrow. The return of Stephen Hiney to full fitness has been another boost for their rearguard while Michael Carton’s contributions have been significant.
They will need to get a grip on Cork’s attacking talisman Patrick Horgan who offers leadership and directs his team up front. For Cork Seamus Harnedy has been a magnificent discovery at this level while Conor Lehane and Luke O’Farrell showed flashes against Kilkenny of their best form.
At the opposite end Cork have coped without the leadership of Brian Murphy thanks to the brilliance of Shane O’Neill while Tom Kenny has revived his career in style this summer. Christopher Joyce and Conor O’Sullivan have also bedded in well to the back line.
But they need to contain a Dublin attack where Conal Keaney has consistently starred, David O’Callaghan has started to impress and Paul Ryan has racked up healthy scoring totals.
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Gazing into the crystal ball…
The beauty of this year’s All-Ireland senior hurling title race is that the four remaining teams appear so evenly matched. Both teams tomorrow have valid claims to victory and then managing to go all the way to enjoy September deliverance.
Dublin have the benefit of beating both of last year’s All-Ireland finalists before clinching Leinster glory and they possess a hugely physical outlook. Throw in the lessons of past failure they have absorbed and Anthony Daly has a potent combination.
Cork have the boost of dumping a heavyweight like Kilkenny out of contention in 2013, a resilient rearguard and a front man like Patrick Horgan who can win the day. Lob in Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s sideline direction and the county’s rich hurling tradition, and Cork have plenty going for them.
It’s an extremely difficult game to call and is likely to be tight and tense. Yet Galway’s capitulation against Clare franks Dublin’s Leinster final display. With Cork coming off a rousing victory a fortnight ago, they may just have the necessary momentum to prevail.
Verdict: Cork
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer
