Cork are red hot favourites to retain their All-Ireland football title after blowing Down apart in the final round of qualifiers.

Conor Counihan’s side repeated their September championship win over the Northerners in Croke Park on Saturday.

They may have lost the Munster final to Kerry but there is no doubting Cork’s credentials as favorites for the Sam Maguire after their 2-20 to 0-14 win over Down.

The Rebels will now meet Mayo in the All-Ireland quarter-finals when Kerry will play Limerick, Donegal will meet Kildare and Dublin will face the winners of the remaining fourth round qualifier between Tyrone and Roscommon.

Limerick scraped through to the last eight with a one point win, 1-18 to 1-17, over Wexford in a game marred by controversy.

The losers are adamant that Ian Ryan’s late winning point, from a free, was wide but referee Derek Fahy allowed the score to stand as Limerick reached the quarter-finals for the first time ever.

Kildare are well used to the last eight of the competition and eased through with a six point win over Derry at Croke Park.

Tyrone booked their place in the fourth round when their delayed third round tie against neighbours Armagh resulted in a six point win for Mickey Harte’s side.

The quarter-final draw for the All-Ireland SFC is: Kerry v Limerick; Cork v Mayo; Donegal v Kildare; Dublin v Tyrone or Roscommon.

The semi-final draw is: Kerry/Limerick v Cork/Mayo; Dublin/Tyrone/Roscommon v Donegal/Kildare.