Cork legend Dinny Allen wants to see the Rebels have a go against Donegal

ONE of the best football players ever to don the red and white jersey of Cork, Dinny Allen, is looking for the Rebels to come out and play with no fear against Donegal.

John Cleary’s side come up against a resurgent Ulster outfit as the two sides face off in the All-Ireland SFC Group 3 Round 2 encounter this afternoon at Páirc Uí Rinn with throw-in at 2.30pm.

Both teams have two points on the board after opening round wins, but the Rebels are locking horns with the only team in the country who have yet to taste defeat in competitive football in 2024. Donegal have won the Allianz Division 2 football league title and the Ulster SFC crown. 

The green and gold just seem to be getting better and better. They put in their best performance of the season in the opening round win of the Sam Maguire last weekend against Tyrone as it finished up 0-21 to 0-14 in Ballybofey.

Cork played two weeks ago and got the better of Clare in Ennis, 1-13 to 1-11, in what was a significant victory which put them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages.

“I would like to see Cork have a right good cut off it now against Donegal,” says Allen, who captained the Rebels to win the All-Ireland in 1989.

“The fear of losing is gone ginormous. The pressure is on teams so much but I would hope Cork will come out and attack Donegal right from the off and play that way you know.

“Cork are qualified as such now after the win against Clare so that’s why I would love to see the team express themselves more and play with a bit of flair. They have the players to do it but like, it’s a long time since I was playing, but are the modern day managers putting too much pressure on players these days? It’s basically win at all costs now.

“I know all the slogans, don’t be giving the ball away is a big one. Sometimes you have to give away the ball if you want to try something. I would like to see Cork come out with a happy attitude and it could turn out right for them.” 

The former Nemo Rangers star, who won eight top-flight county football titles and four All-Ireland club crowns during a stellar playing career with the city side, is pleased with the progress Cork are making.

“I have seen a lot of matches this year and definitely Cork are playing a better brand of football,” Allen said.

“They have been improving the whole time and they might not realise that they have improved from the last few years which is a bad thing, but they have improved this year with all the matches. Even the games they lost this year, they have been in those matches and could have won one or two of them. There are definitely positive signs, no doubt about it.” 

Despite being at home in the tighter surroundings of Páirc Uí Rinn as opposed to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork will be underdogs against a Donegal side who are showing no signs of slowing down under the guidance of Jim McGuinness, who guided the green and gold to All-Ireland glory in his first stint at the helm back in 2012. Donegal beat Cork 1-20 to 2-6 in the first Allianz Division 2 football league game this year. 

“Donegal looked very impressive against Tyrone last weekend,” the Turners Cross native says.

“You wouldn’t be looking to play Tyrone every day of the week like. Donegal were well able to handle them alright and they will be a handful now against Cork. It’s hard to break them down but that’s why we should be having a right cut off them and attack them from everywhere rather than sitting back.

“Tactics sometimes make you worse rather than getting out there and getting stuck in. I know Páirc Uí Rinn is a smaller pitch than the one below in Páirc Uí Chaoimh but Cork have played some of their better matches over the last few years in Páirc Uí Rinn. It’s an advantage for sure.” Allen concluded.