Sligo v Cork preview

One interesting statistic behind this game is Cork have yet to lose an All-Ireland quarter-final - winning in 2002, 2005 and …

One interesting statistic behind this game is Cork have yet to lose an All-Ireland quarter-final - winning in 2002, 2005 and last year. That's the sort of experience Billy Morgan's team take to Croke Park this afternoon.

Anyone who thinks Sligo will be content with their Connacht crown - their first since 1975 - is underestimating their desire. They won't fear Cork, and as their display against Galway proved, they can play some brilliant football.

They've the perfect blend of seasoned players, and with Eamon O'Hara and John McPartland passed fit, are at full strength. No surprise then that manager Tommy Breheny announced the same starting 15, with one positional switch, as Seán Davey moves to full forward, and Mark Breheny to centre forward.

Defensively Sligo held up well to the best Galway had to offer, with full back Noel McGuire and Michael McNamara holding the fort with great consistency. Scoring-wise, they were wasteful. They won't get away with that here.

READ MORE

Cork are also back to full strength, with Noel O'Leary resuming duties in the half-back line having missed the third-round qualifier against Louth due to a four-week suspension - for his altercation with Kerry's Paul Galvin in the Munster final. As a result John Miskella moved up to half forward where he takes the number 10 jersey from Conor McCarthy, and goalkeeper Alan Quirke also returns from a shoulder injury.

Cork probably have the greater spread of talent, but they'll have to match Sligo's work-rate, which wasn't obvious in the Louth game. Cork failed to score a goal that day. Michael Cussen will like the open space of Croke Park. If they can raise their intensity Sligo could find them hard to live with.

Sligo v Cork

Today, 2pm

Croke Park

live on RTÉ 2