Davis reckons Rebels are too strong for Down

Cork's Ciaran Sheehan

FORMER Cork star and now leading pundit Tony Davis believes that Cork will not get anywhere near as easy of a time this weekend against Down as they did when the two sides last clashed.

Back in February, the Rebels ran out winners in the most comprehensive of fashions in a 4-11 to 0-10 rout of the Mourne men. Davis was in attendance at Pairc Ui Chaoimh to witness that mauling dished out by Conor Counihan’s men, and admits that Down’s display that day was beyond disappointing.

“I went down to watch the National League game between the two teams, and I have to say that I thought it was the worst Down team I’d ever seen. I just thought they were awful. They had no answer whatsoever to Cork. It left you wondering if in 2010 they had peaked too soon, or whether they were just lucky to get there, because at the end of the day only a hand pass stood between them and winning the All-Ireland title.

“I don’t know where that leaves Down. I’m surprised they are where they are, having seen them in the league. They’ve improved immensely since that day though, they’re a better looking outfit now, and in fairness they were missing players that day. They’ve had some great results in the league, especially that performance they turned in to beat Dublin, so you have to give them credit for what they’ve managed to do.”

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