Donegal mall Cork

Paul Kerrigan concedes a free against Donegal

In my analysis prior to the game I felt Cork could possibly match Donegal for physical conditioning and point scoring ability and win this game by a whisker, I could not have been more wrong.
Donegal ultimately played the game with the kind of physical intensity and togetherness shown by leading lights in other sports such as the All Blacks and FC Barcelona ruthlessly punishing any mistakes made by an initially enthusiastic Cork team. The most impressive element of this tempo was the fact they were able to keep it up right to the final whistle. Aside from the obvious physicality on show Donegal in scoring 16 points, 11 from play showed the creativity rightfully doubted by many analysts since a somewhat dour performance against Dublin at the same stage last year. The combination of creative players such as Mark McHugh and Patrick McBrearty and proven finishers like Colm McFadden and Michael Murphy proved a deadly concoction which a tiring Cork defence were unable to cope with. A classy hard running performance from Rory Kavanagh was also vital to the Tir Chonaill mens success on the day.

Cork in reflecting on the game will acknowledge that while scoring some outstanding long range points through the mercurial talents Paul Kerrigan and Colm O'Neill were perhaps not direct enough in their efforts during the game. Despite going toe to toe with Donegal in the first half Corks attack often seemed overly pensive and the impression formed by many onlookers was that they were being forced to work too hard for the scores they did enjoy. The visible exhaustion on many of the Cork players at the fifty five minute mark will be a haunting memory for rebels boss Conor Counihan.  

 For Donegal and Jim McGuinness the dream of All Ireland success continues and this punter won't be found doubting them twice.