"I think it's going to be quite difficult and it a real test of the character of the team."

That was Cork manager Brian Cuthbert speaking shortly after the final whistle in last Saturday's Munster SFC final replay defeat to Kerry.

The Fitzgerald Stadium scoreboard (1-11 to 1-6) didn't make pleasant reading from a Rebel County point of view and Cuthbert was asked how difficult it was going to be to rally his troops ahead of today's Round 4A qualifier against Kildare.

"It's certainly going to be a very difficult couple of days getting back on the wagon again and getting ready to face Kildare

"It's going to be difficult but that's where we find ourselves right now and we're just going to have to dig ourselves out of the mire and go again."

Talented forward Brian Hurley has paid the price for a below-par performance against the Kingdom and his place in Cork's starting 15 goes to Colm O'Driscoll. Eoin Cadogan, meanwhile, comes in at midfield for the injured Paddy Kelly.

Kildare, meanwhile, have claimed the scalps of Longford and Offaly in the qualifiers so far, but this will be their biggest test since their Leinster SFC semi-final humiliation at the hands of Dublin.

Manager Jason Ryan is keeping his cards close to his chest as regards his starting 15 but he did reveal that Peter Kelly and Fergal Conway were available for selection.

"Peter Kelly being back in contention is a big plus. Fergal Conway trained with us last Thursday and then played for Celbridge on Saturday and trained again with us on Sunday.

"Fergal got the all clear from the consultant and is back in full contention so he is another big plus for us."

Cork are fragile following the quick turnaround from last weekend - but are the Lilywhites capable of taking advantage of that?

Verdict - Cork.

Cork team: Ken O'Halloran; Michael Shields, Jamie O'Sullivan, James Loughrey; Stephen Cronin, Brian O'Driscoll, Barry O'Driscoll; Alan O'Connor, Eoin Cadogan; Colm O'Driscoll, Mark Collins, Kevin O'Driscoll; Colm O'Neill, Paul Kerrigan, Donncha O'Connor.

Kildare team: tbc.

Match details: Saturday; Semple Stadium; 7pm; extra-time playable.

Referee: Martin Duffy.

Odds: Cork 1/4; Draw 10/1; Kildare 4/1.

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