Shane Dowling savoured the "pure magic" of Limerick's superb All-Ireland SHC defeat of Cork, but warned supporters to give the players the space they need to ensure they'll bring Liam MacCarthy back to the county in three weeks' time.
Dowling rose from the bench to slam home a crucial penalty as his side fought to a 3-32 to 2-31 extra-time victory at Croke Park.
It was another glorious battle in what has been a truly memorable summer of hurling. Dowling lapped up the glory pitchside afterwards, but warned today's win will count for nothing if they don't back it up against Clare or Galway, who drew in the other semi-final on Saturday.
"It's pure magic," he told RTÉ Sport. "To hear 'Sean South Of Garryowen' ringing out there... Listen we're a passionate county but I will ask for one message. I'll ask the supporters to enjoy it and I hope they embrace it, but I do plead that they let the players focus for the next three weeks because we've been here a number of times in the last 30 or 40 years.
"I really hope we're not just going to get to the final to march behind the band. I want Limerick to go all the way." pic.twitter.com/EcM1Jc8sm3
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 29, 2018
"This time I really hope we're not just going to get to the final to march behind the band. I want Limerick to go all the way.
"When you get you chance you have to take it. I'm delighted things fell my way. We're a serious panel and I genuinely mean that. It's going to be a 20-man game and whatever anyone's part is, we'll do what we're told.
"I can't tell you if Limerick are going to win an All-Ireland, but I'll make one promise: the next three weeks we'll work hard and we'll try our best."
It's Limerick first All-Ireland final in 11 years - they were beaten by Kilkenny in the 2007 decider - and it's 1973 since they went all the way.
Now, John Kiely's men are just one game from delivering the big one.
