Cork v Dublin: Three key battles Rebels must win at Semple Stadium

THE Dublin hurlers stand in Cork’s way in their quest to reach the All-Ireland semi-final for the first time in three years this weekend. 

Here we look at the key match-ups that will help decide the outcome of Saturday afternoon’s All-Ireland quarter-final tie in Semple Stadium.

Chris Crummey v Seamus Harnedy

We can expect a much more abrasive Dublin effort on Saturday compared to what they produced against Kilkenny in the Leinster final when they got humiliated to the tune of 3-28 to 1-18, and with that in mind, you would expect the Lucan Sarsfields defender to lead the Dublin charge.

He often is on the edge when it comes to the physical stakes, and indeed, all of eight years ago Crummey was sent off in a championship fixture against the Rebels in Páirc Uí Rinn, in a game that finished 1-26 to 1-23 to Cork. 

The Dubs would have travelled back up the motorway that evening feeling that they could well have scalped Cork had they kept 15 on the pitch.

Seamus Harnedy was missed last Saturday against Offaly, as he remains Cork’s main puck-out outlet. 

Harnedy tends to make Cork tick, so the aerial battle between these two can set the tone for whichever team comes out on top.

Harnedy has been in brilliant form for Cork so far this season, scoring 1-10 in the four Munster round-robin games, but Crummey comes up with regular scores from distance himself, with him rifling over 10 from play in this year’s championship to date, and it will be up to Cork to curtail this scoring threat from deep.

Danny Sutcliffe v Mark Coleman

Sutcliffe has been one of Dublin’s go-to men in the forward line ever since his debut way back in 2011, and it would be no surprise for Dublin goalkeeper Seán Brennan to be landing a lot of his restarts in his direction on Saturday.

Sutcliffe has chipped away on the scoreboard for Dublin all season, scoring from play in every game, hitting 1-10 in six games, but it is his ability as a ball magnet in the half-forward line where he really shows his worth for Micheál Donoghue’s side.

It would also be expected that Sutcliffe might take on Coleman in the air, but the Blarney man is well accustomed to being targeted at this stage of his career and he will probably relish the challenge.

Coleman will have been annoyed with his shooting up in Tullamore last weekend and will be looking to ensure that the radar is back in working order in Thurles should he get within range of the Dublin posts. 

His crisp delivery to the inside forward line can also be vital to Cork’s hopes.

Eoin O’Donnell v Alan Connolly

Connolly never really got going against Offaly last Saturday in Tullamore, with him making way for Shane Kingston in the 44th minute after being largely starved of possession and failing to get on the scoresheet.

This came after all the plaudits had been brandished his way after his devastating performance against Tipperary four weeks ago in the final round of the Munster Championship, when he bagged a sensational 3-1. 

The Blackrock attacker certainly would not have enjoyed the experience of being called ashore early and we can expect him to be hungry to get back on the goal train on Saturday.

He will not have it all his own way, however, as his direct opponent is the highly-rated and extremely experienced Whitehall Colmcille’s full-back O’Donnell, who would be expected to back himself against any of the top forwards in the country.