Cork manager Kieran Kingston said his team "came of age" in their extra-time win over Kilkenny in Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final, though he acknowledged they would be heavy underdogs in the decider in a fortnight's time.
Seeking a first All-Ireland final appearance since 2013, Cork appeared to have tossed away victory in sickening fashion, carelessly losing possession in the dying seconds of injury-time, enabling Kilkenny to rustle up an equalising goal which was rattled home by Adrian Mullen.
However, Cork, who had largely dominated the second half, frittering away numerous goal chances, roused themselves again in extra-time.
Corner forward speedster Jack O'Connor fired home the decisive score on the stroke of half-time of the added period, finally finding a way past the indomitable Eoin Murphy, burying the ball to the net from a tight angle. From there, Kingston's side saw it out, running out five-point winners.
After the match, the Cork manager was quick to stress his team's character, which had on occasion been called into question - along with their alleged substandard work-rate - during their lean spell.
"Coming up today, there was a lot said and a lot of comments about the team," the Cork boss told RTÉ Sport after the game.
"The fact that we hadn't beaten Kilkenny in Croke Park since 2004, that we'd lost seven of the last eight All-Ireland semi-finals. We tried to keep that away from the group as best we could.
"I said before the game that people don't realise the character and the honesty in this group. We see it all the time. But a lot of people don't see it because they only see them in the games. They've showed it at different stages at different games. As I said before the game, it always wasn't good enough.
"Today, I think they came of age. When you consider, we went six points up, third game in 15 days, we missed three goals ourselves in the second half and then we got caught with a sucker punch. And then suddenly you're in extra-time."
Jack O'Connor loves scoring goals. This could be a vital one
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When asked whether he feared their chance had gone after failing to seal it in normal time, Kingston responded with a flat "No."
"We made no changes because we believed in the group. Okay, we got caught for a late goal, so be it. This is Kilkenny you're playing in an All-Ireland semi-final. They never go away and they never give up. We knew that.
"But we trusted the lads. And all we asked of them (before extra-time) was what we asked before the game. Honesty, give us effort, play with character and represent the jersey in an honourable way and with integrity.
"From six down to six up and then go into extra-time after 15 days, I'm so proud of them. And then to win by five points, it was incredible for them and it's great for their development. Because that's an extremely young team."
Kingston's son Shane scooped the Man of the Match award - despite having been dropped from the starting line-up by his father beforehand.
Coming on for Darragh Fitzgibbon early in the second half, Kingston landed a scarcely believable tally of 0-07 as a substitute, all from play.
How would Kingston senior address the team selection when he next encounters his son?
"I'll tell him you needed the wake-up call of dropping ya (laughs)! That's what I'll say to him. It's great for him to come in and do well. Obviously, he was out to prove a point and he did it today."
Limerick's intimidating semi-final performance against Waterford - not to mention their extraordinary second half blitz in the Munster final - had convinced many neutrals that today's semi was a battle to see who'd finish runners-up in 2021.
Kingston acknowledged his side would be heavy underdogs in two weeks time but said they were determined to enjoy their semi-final win, only their second in the past 15 years.
"We'll savour this, we'll enjoy it, we'll reflect on it. Because days like this don't happen too often. They haven't happened in Cork for a while, winning semi-finals. It's only the second final appearance since 2006. That's where we are, we're an evolving group and a developing group.
"We know we're going to be serious underdogs against Limerick in two weeks time. With the journey we've had, with the way they've played, with the team they have. We were slagging there afterwards that I think their name is engraved on it already. We know that, we know we'll go in as underdogs.
"But look, I'll be saying the same as I did today. Give us honesty of effort, give us a performance and we'll see where it takes us."
