All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final: Cork v Tyrone Match Pick...

Cork takes on Tyrone in Sunday's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Semi-Final at Croke Park, @ 3:30 PM.

Anthony Lynch returns to the Cork team for this encounter.

Lynch missed the Munster final victory against Limerick and his side's quarter-final win over Donegal with a groin injury, but has been passed fit.

The return of Lynch to the starting fifteen sees Kieran O'Connor drop to the bench in the only change to the side that beat Donegal.

Colm O'Neill keeps his place in the attack ahead of James Masters, who is carrying an injury.

Cork Team:
A Quirke; R Carey, M Shields, A Lynch; N O'Leary, G Canty, J Miskella; A O'Connor, N Murphy; P Kerrigan, P O'Neill, P Kelly; D Goulding, C O'Neill, D O'Connor.

Enda McGinley returns to the Tyrone team and resumes his midfield partnership with Kevin Hughes in what will be his first start in more than two months. McGinley's inclusion is the only change from the team that defeated the Lilywhites by two points.

Sean Cavanagh moves from midfield to centre forward, with Tommy McGuigan the player to lose out.

In an interesting positional switch in defence, full back Justin McMahon switches to centre back in a direct swap with Conor Gormley.

Manager Mickey Harte appears to have decided to utilise McMahon's height to combat towering Cork centre forward Pearse O'Neill.

Tyrone Team:
P McConnell, PJ Quinn, C Gormley, R McMenamin, D Harte, Justin McMahon, P Jordan, K Hughes, E McGinley, B Dooher, S Cavanagh, Joe McMahon, M Penrose, S O'Neill, O Mulligan.

This match will be only the second championship meeting of Tyrone and Cork. The Rebels cruised to a 5-10 to 2-4 in the 1973 All-Ireland semi-final.

Tyrone is bidding for a spot in their fourth All Ireland final this decade (winning their previous three finals - '03, '05 and '08), but in Cork they will surely face their toughest opponents yet in this year's campaign. Cork are something of an unknown quantity, despite the eight-point Munster semi-final replay win over Kerry and the subsequent annihilation of Donegal in the All Ireland quarter-final.

I believe the O'Neill County are on course to claim another All-Ireland title and should win this semi-final clash. However, it will be a tough uncomprising battle between both teams. Although I won't predict a draw on the day - I wouldn't be surprised if there was one.

Paddy Power Match Betting Odds:
Tyrone 4/6
Draw 15/2
Cork 13/8

Handicap Betting:
Tyrone (-1.0) 10/11
Handicap Draw (-1.0) 8/1
Cork (+1.0) 11/10

Winner: Tyrone

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