Offaly must run at Cork

Going on the formbook alone, there is strong reason to believe that Cork will come through this semi-final. They have done well to beat Limerick and Tipperary, but so far they haven't been as impressive as last year. Still, they are playing with the confidence of All-Ireland winners and that certainly helps. They beat Limerick quite well in the end, but there was a stage in the game when they were in a bit of trouble. Yet they never panicked and were able to raise their game.

Against Tipperary, they were very much on top for the last 15 minutes. The full forward line came out the field more and showed great ability to pick up the ball and take points at their ease. That was something Tipperary could never do.

Offaly's form has been fairly contrasting. And they're now without John Troy as well. They came through to the Leinster final without much trouble, and for 55 minutes they held Kilkenny and played extremely well.

The game turned very suddenly after a ball which could have been a goal for Offaly came down the other end and was a score for Kilkenny. Of course, Offaly disappeared out of the game after that.

But you have to remember: for years people have been writing off Offaly and not giving them the credit they were due. Last year the best hurling match I saw was between Cork and Offaly, and in many ways Offaly were unlucky not to win that. Now they're written off more than ever because of their form and problems with Troy and so on.

However, if there is any kick left in Offaly then it will come out tomorrow. It's a tough one for them, for sure, and there are a lot of rumblings that nothing seems to be right within the Offaly camp. That's the time they play their best.

Looking at their line-up, the move of Joe Errity to centre back is the most interesting. For many years now, Offaly have had two full backs in Errity and Kevin Kinahan. But if you put Errity at full back now, Kinahan wouldn't be playing anywhere else. He's very much a central figure in the full back line and is not as effective in the corner back.

Errity suffered a little bit because of that, moving into the corner or up into the forwards. I still think he did very well from time to time up amongst the forwards, but Offaly have had a problem all year at centre back without Hubert Rigney.

But it's no great surprise to see Errity moved there now. It's definitely not a new position for him, but the worry is whether he will be strong enough for Fergal McCormack. But he's a very good hurler and I think he will surprise a lot of people.

If you take the Cork full back line of Fergal Ryan, Diarmuid O'Sullivan and John Browne, and then take the Offaly forwards of Michael Duignan, John Ryan and Joe Dooley, I think there will be very little won or lost there. That will be a tremendous battle, especially in the case of O'Sullivan on Ryan. They're both big, physical players, and although O'Sullivan is a better hurler, there's a chance Ryan might spoil him.

There's another interesting struggle in store between Gary Hannify and Brian Corcoran. Hannify is another big, strong player but he'll have a tough job. If he stays close to Corcoran, he may not win the one-to-one situation. If he drifts away and runs at him, he may have a chance.

Johnny Pilkington has also been playing well in the half forward line but he's up against Sean O hAilpin. So Pilkington has got to defend as well as attack, because if O hAilpin catches all the high balls that he did in the last few matches then he's going to have a field day.

Pat Ryan and Derek Barrett have strengthened the Cork team at centrefield and they are looking more settled as they go on. Ryan was particularly impressive when he came on against Tipperary, especially with his free-taking. He is definitely a bonus to them.

Johnny Dooley had a great game against Derry although he was quite poor against Kilkenny. But he is playing extremely well. Beside him, Ger Oakley is a lot less experienced and will need to let the ball travel instead of running with it.

So I think Cork will shade it at centrefield. Still, if Johnny Dooley starts running at the Cork defence that can really upset them. In fact, nobody has actually run at the Cork defence yet this year.

Crucial for Offaly will be likes of Simon Whelahan, Kinahan and Niall Claffey and how much they can slow down Seanie McGrath, Joe Deane and Ben O'Connor. For a start, Deane is not going to stay beside Kinahan. He's going to move out the field and McGrath will probably do the same. O'Connor will probably stay in around the square, but if Offaly's two corner backs can stay with the pace, they could close down a lot of scoring opportunities.

But it really is time now for Joe Dooley and Duignan to shake a leg. I feel this will be Dooley's swansong. Of course there is a fine half back line in Brian Whelahan, Errity and Kevin Martin. and I feel it will be a lot closer than people think.

If Cork get ahead by five of or six points with 15 minutes to go I think they'll win quite easily; but otherwise I think Offaly will give them a great match. It's been amazing how low key the build-up to this game has been and maybe that is over-confidence on Cork's part. Of course Jimmy Barry Murphy has given his players a warning and wants the supporters to travel as well. But it still appears that many people in Cork are waiting for the final.

That's not a great way to go into an All-Ireland semi-final. That could back-fire, but it is unlikely.

(In an interview with Ian O'Riordan)