In the end it was a lot easier than expected for Tipperary as they brushed a side the challenge of Cork in Sunday's Munster SHC quarter-final at a rain-sodden Semple Stadium.
The 0-22 to 0-13 scoreline perhaps doesn't tell the whole story of Tipp's victory. Michael Ryan's side were never tested by the Rebels, yet for wing-back Pádraic Maher the game was about showing intent from the off and so ensuring that they did not come a cropper at the first hurdle.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, the Sunday Game man-of-the match said: "We prepared hard for the last seven weeks since the defeat to Clare (league quarter-final) and really knuckled down.
"We didn't want to be caught on the hop in our back yard and we worked hard enough to stop Cork from hurling.
"It was difficult given the conditions. The showers got heavier and heavier and it made controlling and striking the ball very difficult. We don't care, we got the win and we're delighted."
Next up for the Premier is another date with Limerick in the semi-final on 19 June. Maher expects TJ Ryan's side to provide a sterner test.
"Limerick will be tough and they've beaten us a few times of late. It's going to be a 50/50 game and we're expecting a battle right from the first whistle. It's one to looking forward to in four weeks."
Cork manager Kieran Kingston could not hide his disappointment afterwards when he spoke to RTÉ Sport.
"We're gutted to be honest. We came up here today and, irrespective of what was said and written, we thought we had a good chance. We just didn't perform, for whatever reason we didn't perform. We didn't do ourselves justice and we are better than that.
"Tipperary are a good team, but we made them fantastic at times. When you make them look like we did, they will hurt you."
