DANIEL Goulding believes the lure of a showdown with Kerry should be all the motivation Cork need to avoid another championship slip-up against Tipperary.

While the memory of Tipp’s shock 2020 Munster final win still lingers, the 2010 All-Ireland winner insists the gap between the sides has widened. With Cork on an upward curve and the Premier languishing in Division 4, Goulding expects John Cleary’s men to handle the pressure in Thurles for this Saturday’s Munster semi-final (2pm).

‘The motivation is to play Kerry in Killarney. This Cork team are at a point where they can’t take any team for granted, but there’s also an expectation that they’re going to perform every day,’ Goulding told The Southern Star.

‘You would expect Cork to be beating Tipperary if they are playing to their best. Tipperary are in Division 4 and have taken a back step since that Munster final. Cork have gone in the other direction.’

Kerry still have to navigate a Munster semi-final of their own against Clare but it is expected that the final will be between the old rivals.

The last time Cork beat Kerry in the championship was 2020. The last time they did it after normal time was 2012. It would certainly provide the county a boost if Cork do win Munster.

‘They’ve checked one box by getting promoted from Division 2. Winning Munster is the next natural progression. There’s no doubt, beating Kerry in the Munster championship is needed. It’s been way too long. I don’t think it’ll define their season if they lose, but it’s very important to beat Kerry in Munster.

'They nearly did it last year. Kerry will also be aware of that and they won’t be taking the Munster championship lightly. Every time you beat Kerry, it’s a huge victory over a rival,’ the Éire Óg clubman added.

What a Munster final would mean too is a home draw in the first round of the newly revamped All-Ireland SFC. Taking into account their wins over Donegal and Meath in the past few seasons at home and the way they have performed so far this season, home advantage is another motivating factor.

‘Cork don’t fear anyone, which is a good place to be. Obviously with the top-tier teams, there’s a challenge there, but if Cork perform to their ability, they can hang with the best of them. If they get a home game, it would be ideal,’ Goulding explained.

‘They beat Donegal at home a couple of years ago, and getting a home game in the first round would be a big bonus. Apart from getting promoted, Cork’s style of football has improved a lot, especially in attack. They’re more dangerous than what they were 18 months ago. There’s more method and directness to their play going forward, which is great to see.’

Former Cork footballer Daniel Goulding.

That forward play was evident in their 4-16 to 1-16 victory over Limerick in the provincial quarter-final. A total of 11 different scorers is some going and shows Cork aren’t over-reliant on any individual.

‘There’s people clipping in like Paul Walsh. He’s tying that into his locker with a point or two a game. Even the half-back line are getting in on the scoring act. Then you have Steven Sherlock, Chris Óg Jones and Mark Cronin ticking the scoreboard with three or four points each.

‘They’ve been working on it and they've moved away from playing outside the arc. They’re asking more questions and penetrating more,’ the former Cork forward said.

‘The sign of a good team is that there’s not one person doing the damage. Sherlock took off in the league final. Chris Óg has been good in some games. Mark Cronin has delivered in other games. Colm O’Callaghan in midfield has had a huge season and Cork are always on the front foot when he’s playing well. Tommy Walsh has solved the centre-back problem and slotted in there well. There’s been improvements all over the pitch.’

One potential concern is Cork’s second-half displays. The Rebels have ‘won’ just one of their nine second periods this year, but Goulding wouldn’t panic over that figure.

‘It’s not a concern but it’s definitely something to focus on. I’m not sure you can read too much into the Limerick game. Cork were so far ahead of half-time that there was going to be a level of drop in focus, no matter how much you try to safeguard against it. It’s good that John’s aware of it.

‘You'd be hoping against Tipp that if you're leading at half-time to look at ways to change that drop in focus. That can be done by utilising the bench as much as possible and giving Conor Corbett, Darragh Cashman and David Buckley a good spell of championship football,’ Goudling said as Cork look to clinch a Munster final place.