Rebels' Power Show

All Ireland SFC Championship, Quarterfinal:
Cork 1-27 Donegal 2-10

By Denis O'Brien

Cork looked impressive as they secured an emphatic win over Donegal in a very one-sided contest in this weekend's first football Championship quarterfinal at Croker.

It was all too easy for Cork throughout as Donegal had no answer for the Rebel's powerful running game and excellent support play.

Cork were well in control by the end of the first half but a great goal by flying wing forward Paul Kerrigan early in the second period put the result beyond any doubt.

Despite being outclassed, Donegal did manage to score two goals in that second half but it was largely window dressing as Cork easily canceled those scores and were able to step up a gear at will and ran out very impressive 14-point winners in the end.

Donegal opened the scoring when their best forward on the day, full forward Michael Murphy (0-6), converted a free however this was soon cancelled out when Cork's corner forward did likewise from a placed ball.

From a Donegal perspective this was as good as it got as Cork then turned in a tour de force similar to their performance in the second Kerry game.

They were full of running and invention from the half back line with John Miskella racing forward to slam over two either side of another O'Connor point to leave them 0-4 to 0-1 in front.

Cork pressure was unrelenting and near goal misses by Colm O'Neill (just wide and right) and Goulding (side netting) signaled trouble ahead for Donegal.

Brian Roper got a much needed-point for Donegal by the 13th minute but Cork weren't about to let the northern county back into the game.

Their display of scoring from here to the short whistle underlined their Rebel's All Ireland ambitions in no uncertain terms as they hit the next eight points in a row and all from play.

Centre back Grahame Canty drove forward to slot one while the excellent wing forward Paddy Kelly and the unstoppable Paul Kerrigan picked off two each. Young full forward Colm O'Neill, a late replacement for James Masters, did well to point two more while Pierce O'Neill got in for another to complete the impressive series.

Cork, well on top throughout the field, went in at the break in control with a handsome 10-point lead with Donegal powerless to do anything about it.

After the sides swapped a pair of points on the restart it was Cork again that would drive as Paddy Kelly put through Kerrigan who blasted to the top right corner of the net for a brilliant goal.

Cork could now afford the luxury of bringing on their full quota of subs with Fintan Gould and Padraig Kissane particularly impressive sharing five points between them.

Donegal restored some pride with a fine goal from their captain Rory Kavanagh but Cork's dominance continued to show as their side then grabbed a further five points with Daniel Goulding (0-3) and Paul Kerrigan sharing the spoils.

Though they stared certain defeat in the face, Donegal battled on and were rewarded with a late goal this time by sub Stephen Griffin with Michael Murphy the provider.

The wide open spaces of Croke Park suits this Cork side as their running, support play and fitness levels all flower in such an arena. They looked good in every department of the field and were able to take their scores when the opportunities arose.

Now they get set for a titanic battle with All Ireland champions Tyrone, who themselves showed their prowess when overcoming the severe test of Kildare.

Cork, like Kildare, can trouble the champions but whether they can beat them is another story and one that has all the hallmarks of a classic.