Former Dublin manager Dr Pat O'Neill is quietly confident that Pat Gilroy's side can overcome Cork in Sunday's All-Ireland football semi-final.

O'Neill, who was the last Dublin supremo to oversee an All-Ireland triumph 15 years ago, believes the Dubs are coming into form at just the right time and will hold no fear of the Rebels.

"Dublin's track record historically has been quite good against Cork in semi-finals, bar '89. That has to be a confidence factor," he told the Evening Herald.

"I look very optimistically (at the game). I am really looking forward to it. I think Gaelic football needs it. I think Dublin needs it.

"I think the city needs it and I think probably the country too. But sympathy won't win the match," he cautioned.

"If they improve at the rate that they have improved - if there is a percentage on that again - I think they have a great chance of winning.

"Really the only form they (Cork) showed was in the first game against Kerry, and after that it has not been great. You would have to say that, last year, Cork were the best team around, and a good young team as well ... that doesn't disappear overnight." Tweet

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