Former Limerick hurler Ollie Moran expects the county’s players to be able to handle the added pressure that comes with their win over Kilkenny yesterday.
The Munster side progressed to a last four meeting with Cork by beating Kilkenny in the Championship for the first time since 1973 at Semple Stadium.
He told RTÉ Sport: "For a young team they are mature beyond their years and they'll be well versed in how to handle themselves. Even locally their profile is very low.
"They have very astute management and I think they'll be telling them to keep doing what they are doing, get their heads down and I don't think they have time to be sucked in with the razzmatazz that goes with this.
"I think they will be very well grounded. They've been in this position before with minor, Under-21 and college finals so they are well used to it.
"We have endured a fair amount of heartache and Kilkenny have always been the barometer as far as we are concerned.
"To beat Kilkenny in a game of that magnitude is massive and it's a psychological barrier as well for this Limerick team. It was a massive victory. "
Moran described the win as "a huge lift for the county" and said there was a belief within they could shock the Cats.
He added: "It was a fantastic feeling leaving Thurles yesterday. We're normally on the flip side when playing Kilkenny. Yesterday was one of those days where it was in the stars.
"Limerick weathered the early storm from Kilkenny and just when you thought it was going to be the same-old, same-old, Limerick rallied and got themselves back in the game.
"They got themselves in at half-time with a lead and from there on in we were quietly confident. We were quietly confident all week because this team has surpassed everyone's expectation.
"It's high on quality but it's also high on passion as well. When the game was up for grabs, the team stood up to the challenge.
"Everyone in Limerick is absolutely thrilled. This is further than anyone expected from the start of the year but this team is starting to come into its own. More importantly it has won over the Limerick public. People are so behind the team. It's a huge lift for the county."
