A different Dublin in front of a full house will offer Cork more challenges this time out

When Cork and Dublin met in a lunchtime All-Ireland quarter-final last year, Pat Ryan described the game as “dead” and “devoid of energy”.

It will be anything but in front of a bumper Croke Park crowd on Saturday evening with an All-Ireland final berth on the line.

Whether the Dubs truly thought they could master Cork last year is unclear. 

But now they arrive with a tank full of belief and momentum after downing Limerick a fortnight ago.

Another tonic was Na Fianna's All-Ireland Club final dismantling of Sarsfields. Five of Niall Ó Ceallacháin's club heroes could feature this weekend, albeit only two might start.

It's not directly relevant in terms of the same personnel. Indeed, Sars' stars may not see any involvement. But the belief gained from Ó Ceallacháin delivering a perfect team performance on the biggest stage, as he did against Limerick, will fuel this team.

The Dubs have only beaten Cork twice in 19 attempts and both of those occurred in the 1920s. 

But the Rebels haven't wiped them out either in their last six Championship meetings.

Last year, Dublin started seven of the team who defeated Limerick, although substitutes increased that number to 10 by the end. 

They finished strong, too.

Patrick Collins just about held onto his clean sheet under a late barrage of Dublin shots. They certainly needed it after finishing without a goal for the only time all year.

On top of those missed chances, the teams shared 29 wides (Dublin 16, Cork 13) as Micheál Donohoe’s men converted less than 50% of their shots.

The Dubs did cause Cork some problems with their direct running game. Midfielder Conor Burke attempted eight shots, converting four. 

He also won three scoreable frees but Donal Burke blazed each wide. His off-day extended to a fourth placed ball miss before being taken off frees.

Just five points separated the sides for a finish.

Dublin's goal threat has only increased since then. They have bagged 18 in seven games, including three each from play by Seán Currie, Cian O’Sullivan, Ronan Hayes, and John Hetherton. Currie has also slotted two penalties.

Hetherton, in particular, offers something different as a long-ball target among their team of sharp runners.

Cork can't back off the likes of Conor Burke around the middle, and equally can't allow a flow of ball into Hetherton. 

They were taken apart by Peter Duggan in Ennis, although Ryan has focused on stopping the supply as much as the finishing.

The other positive for Dublin is how they've got a handle on their concessions. Having allowed Kilkenny, Wexford, and Offaly to take them for 11 goals, they have kept clean sheets in four of their last five outings.

The reintroduction of Seán Brennan between the sticks has certainly settled them as they haven't conceded any green flag in his three starts.

Cork's goal balance hasn't been as lethal as their League form. They have scored 10 and conceded nine, being out-goaled in three of their five Championship outings. 

They will look to develop those big moments at the weekend.

Cork gobbled up the Dublin puck-out for spells last year. If they can gain superiority of the skies, Ryan's side will be heading in the right direction.

The major upside of Cork's Munster final showing, apart from the silverware, was the minutes and performances of their bench.

In an alternative reality, Nickie Quaid holds onto that bouncing ball, Limerick are still in the Championship, and a fella like Conor Lehane saw just one minute of action.

Instead, he got 21 minutes, scored 0-2, including the point of the day, won a pointed free, and stitched his penalty.

The same goes for Shane Kingston, who nailed his three shots and netted his penalty.

Those displays will only up the intensity in training and turn both men into greater options for Saturday.

The return of Declan Dalton is well-timed given the major blow of Séamus Harnedy's hamstring injury. 

The Fr O'Neill's ace was Cork's leading contender for man of the match honours against Dublin last year, scoring 0-6 and denied a goal, only to be pipped by Conor Burke.

Cork's recent semi-final record as Munster champions is poor, but negotiating their way past Kilkenny and Limerick in 2021 and '24 is of greater relevance.

Plus, the four weeks since the Munster final can be restorative for a panel getting injuries right for the final push.

The Dubs have earned their chance, but anything short of their Limerick performance won't be enough against Cork. 

And there's no guarantee it'd be enough either way if Ryan's side arrive on top of their game.