Cork manager Conor Counihan is refusing to look past Clare after the Rebels booked their place in the Munster final with victory over old rivals Kerry on Sunday.
The Leesiders were crowned All-Ireland champions in 2010, but they have not won a provincial title since 2009.
Cork must now plan for a clash with Clare on 8 July after the Banner overcame Limerick in the other semi-final. Counihan’s men will go into game as red hot favourites to win and secure a place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
But the Cork supremo does not agree that the summer is now mapped out for them, and insisted the decider at the Gaelic Grounds is not a foregone conclusion.
“The 8 July is the one day we are looking to now and that’s a big challenge. I was listening to that match (Clare v Limerick) last night on the radio and there was tremendous excitement,” Counihan said.
“Clare are on a bounce. They are coming back and they’ll certainly bring a lot to the table, we know that.
“A lot of their guys have been involved with our guys in the interprovincial series this year and we’d rate them very highly.”
Cork were well on top for most of the game, and withstood a Kerry revival in the second period to run out convincing 0-17 to 0-12 winners.
“We’re obviously pleased we’re through to a Munster final. We haven’t been in a position to win a Munster Championship for a while now, so we’re looking forward to that,” Counihan said.
“I suppose for us it’s all about consistency and it’s about performance and today was a step in the right direction.
“I think we showed good composure throughout the game. Even when Kerry came back at us there in the second half we were still reasonably composed. We got back, we got a few points ahead and we stayed calm. I think we played out the last 10 reasonably well.
Rebel goalkeeper Alan Quirke produced a couple of excellent saves to keep the Kingdom at bay, but Counihan was keen not to single out individuals for praise.
“Alan is a top class keeper. It isn’t today or yesterday we realised that. He probably hasn’t got a lot of the credit he deserves,” Counihan said.
“I think equally the six guys in front of him shut things down very well. But, look, a very good team performance.”
