GAELIC GAMES:CORK KNOW they cannot afford another lacklustre performance in an All-Ireland final tomorrow. They must grab hold of this opportunity and just play like we all know they can.

Do that and the Sam Maguire should be theirs. Whether they can find their best performance of the year is the real question hanging over them. It is a legitimate concern on the evidence of their most recent, stuttering wins. They have not performed to the expected standard since the National League.

And yet, they are exactly where they intended to be. They remain a powerful team, not very convincing in attack at present, but not conceding too many scores either. Their character has been questioned after losing last year’s final to Kerry but the manner in which they scraped past Dublin in the semi-final put that to bed for me.

That won’t be enough tomorrow but, at the same time, I feel it might be too early for this young Down team. They must be pinching themselves to have made it this far.

Down have improved since losing the Division Two final to Armagh and the Ulster semi-final to Tyrone. They beat the defending champions Kerry but it was a Kerry team significantly weakened by suspensions, retirements and departures.

Then they beat Kildare but, again, Kildare, despite obvious improvements themselves, are also a Division Two side.

Cork have hardly impressed on their path to the final but they have garnered valuable experience in Croke Park in recent times, particularly last September’s defeat to Kerry.

They won’t want to go through that again. Much like Tipperary in the hurling, it should inspire them to play with a controlled fury for 70 minutes.

The Down swagger has brightened up the championship but their confidence cannot be based on past successes. The other five All-Ireland final appearances shouldn’t impact on the present team.

They do possess a natural confidence, associated with youth, but looking at the practicalities of winning a game of football in September they must drastically improve upon the start they had against Kildare. They were overwhelmed until Benny Coulter’s goal and really Kildare should have established a six or seven-point lead. The goal changed things dramatically.

The Down forward unit have proved to be the best in the country this year, all orchestrated, of course, by Martin Clarke.

When in possession, Clarke controls the pace of a game like a veteran. Coulter, Mark Poland, John Clarke and Paul McComiskey know if they run into space, the accuracy and range of his passing will always find them.

An excellent footballer can always find space where it seems like none exists. Either Graham Canty, Michael Shields or Eoin Cadogan will have to pick him up if Cork are to stop the flowing Down attack establishing a rhythm.

In contrast, the Cork forwards have been very disappointing.

Considering the height advantage they possess in the middle of the field, they usually have the lion’s share of possession but all the lateral passing and patient probing for gaps must be abandoned now.

Dublin did a fine job disrupting this slow build-up. It will suit the Down defence as well as they will have time to get back in numbers and fill the space.

James McCartan has worked out a system that ensures the Down corner backs are rarely isolated. Kalum King has been enormous in his defensive duties. He is a giant of a man, gets his hand in and turns over a lot of ball. Peter Fitzpatrick has fitted seamlessly into midfield for Ambrose Rogers.

Daniel Goulding, Ciarán Sheehan, Donncha O’Connor and Colm O’Neill, when he comes on, need quick, direct ball so they can do the most effective damage.

This requires a change in mindset and tactical approach. They must also be a little cuter in their shot selection. Forget about having a go from ridiculously wide angles, as they did against Kerry last season, just get quick ball inside and bypass their strong running half forwards.

Everything comes back to the control of possession in midfield. I expect both goalkeepers to kick long so one hell of a battle should ensure around the middle third. It will be interesting to see if the excellent Danny Hughes and others can feed off the breaking ball. Cork can control this area, especially when Nicholas Murphy arrives.

The hunger element cannot be overstated. The likes of Graham Canty and Murphy have spent all their adult lives in pursuit of the All-Ireland and experienced so many defeats. So has Benny Coulter.

Benny and Graham both played for me during the International Rules so I know just how driven they will be to make a significant impact on this day.

Until this season Benny has almost single-handedly carried the Down attack for 10 years. Like Graham, he will be going to the depths of his very being to win his All-Ireland. Benny is a goalscorer. It would be some match-up if Canty is marking Coulter.

I think Cork will win if they deny Down a good start, ensure no goals are conceded and don’t let it come down to a tactical battle. It’s in Cork’s hand. There are no more excuses. This is the chance and it may not come again.