After the Leinster final defeat to the Cats, Galway boss Anthony Cunningham told Brian Cody he would see him again in Croke Park on Sunday, September 6th - but Cork might have a thing or two to say about that.
The Rebels have finished up on the wrong end of the scoreline in the last three championship meetings between the two counties (2009, '11 and '12) but they enter tomorrow's last eight clash in a confident frame of mind following back-door victories over Wexford and Clare.
In the aftermath of their Munster SHC semi-final defeat to Waterford, Jimmy Barry-Murphy and his players adopted a more defensive gameplan and it is very much a case of so far, so good for the team in red and white.
Mark Ellis was deployed as a sweeper to great effect against both the Model and Banner counties and more of the same will be required against Joe Canning & Co.
At the other end of the field, they have forwards who can do damage as Anthony Cunningham noted during the week.
"Cork put up huge scores every day they play. They've turned things around massively since their two defeats to Waterford in the league final and the Munster championship.
"They have top class hurlers. There are no chinks in their armour especially up front with Pat Horgan, their marquee forward, Harnedy and Lehane, who are all top class forwards.
"They definitely will take watching."
Cunningham has caused a surprise by handing 18-year-old Conor Whelan his championship debut at right half-forward while Jason Flynn also comes into the attack. Davy Glennon and Fergal Moore make way from the team that lost the Bob O'Keeffe Cup decider to Kilkenny by 2-15 to 1-25.
In the opposite corner, JBM has handed the experienced Shane O'Neill the number two jersey.
The Bishopstown player has been absent since the provincial semi-final loss to Waterford in early June and Alan Cadogan is the player who indirectly loses out.
That's the only change from the team that defeated Clare 0-20 to 0-17 last time out.
Verdict - Galway.
Galway team: Colm Callanan; Johnny Coen, John Hanbury, Padraig Mannion; Aidan Harte, Iarla Tannian, Daithi Burke; Andrew Smith, David Burke; Conor Whelan, Cyril Donnellan, Jonathan Glynn; Jason Flynn, Joe Canning, Cathal Mannion.
Cork team: Anthony Nash; Shane O'Neill, Brian Murphy, Stephen McDonnell; Damien Cahalane, Mark Ellis, Cormac Murphy; Aidan Walsh, Daniel Kearney; Brian Lawton, Patrick Cronin, Bill Cooper; Conor Lehane, Seamus Harnedy, Patrick Horgan.
Match details: Sunday; Semple Stadium; 4pm.
Referee: James Owens.
Odds: Galway 11/8; Draw 8/1; Cork 4/5.
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