Whelan: Dublin's depth question yet to be answered

Ciarán Whelan expects Dublin to comfortably advance to the All-Ireland football semi-finals, but says questions remain whether the depth is in place to cope in adversity.

Dessie Farrell's side are raging favourites to sweep aside a Cork side on Saturday evening that have surprised plenty in reaching the last eight.

With Dublin and Kerry on the same side of the draw, many are predicting the old rivals will collide in a humdinger of a semi-final on 10 July, though the Kingdom's clash with Mayo will be a much tighter affair.

After relinquishing Sam Maguire at the penultimate stage last year and suffering relegation after a number of below-par performances in the league, Whelan says the improvement against Kildare in the Leinster final, where the Dublin attack sparkled in plundering five first-half goals was most pleasing.

The two-time All-Star however says questions remain over the options Farrell has at his disposal. When Cork and Dublin last met in the championship, the Dubs introduced Dean Rock, Paddy Small, Jonny Cooper, Kevin McManamon, Eoin Murchan and James McCarthy on their way to a 13-point win three years ago.

Against Kildare last time out, Niall Scully, Cian Murphy, Aaron Byrne, Jonny Cooper and Brian O'Leary were the men called into action.

"They are probably lacking a bit of depth defensively," he told the RTÉ GAA podcast. "Eoghan O’Donnell was brought in for a particular reason because they have a few injuries

"This is in no way building Kerry up, but when you look at the bench, and the depth Kerry now have compared to Dublin.

"If Dublin are asked that question with 10, 15 minutes to go, and momentum goes against them in that last quarter, maybe concede a goal like they did in 2019 with Killian Spillane, have they the