Shane McGrath was full of praise for the way Cork responded in extra-time to see off Kilkenny in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final, but feels that the upcoming final is "Limerick's to lose".
The 22 August showdown at Croke Park will be a repeat of the Munster semi-final where Limerick ran out eight-point winners. Since then the Liam MacCarthy holders, with a strong second-half showing blitzed Tipperary in the Munster final, before accounting for Waterford in the first of the All-Ireland semis on Saturday.
Cork's qualifier route saw them get the better of Clare and Dublin ahead of Sunday's battle with the Cats.
The Rebels had looked in control with a six-point lead in the closing stages, after immense performances from Patrick Horgan (0-15, 9f) and sub Shane Kingston (0-07), until Kilkenny captain Adrian Mullen forced another 20 minutes with a last-second goal.
Cork fans must have feared it was 2018 all over again but their team gathered themselves admirably after that body blow and took control once more, Jack O'Connor scoring a crucial goal that set the platform for a deserved victory.
Former Tipp star McGrath hailed Cork's resilience in that extra-time period.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said: "The way they bounced back after the sucker-punch of a goal showed a brilliant mindset.
"Tim O'Mahony's response after making the mistake for that Kilkenny goal was brilliant. He won five or six of the Kilkenny puck-outs on his own. That will tell you the bit of steel that's in this Cork group.
"Their bench was awesome, they got 11 points off it, whereas Kilkenny only got one point. That was massive.
"Cork had a great spread of scores. I think they'll be looking forward to this final. Diarmuid O'Sullivan's interview where he said that a lot of people had Limerick's name etched into the cup already will be a massive motivation for the group over the next couple of weeks."
Shane Kingston's contribution in coming off the bench was instrumental in the Rebels' victory. The question now is whether he'll start the final?
On that, McGrath did bring up the option of keeping him in reserve and a modern-day trend when it comes to team selection.
"Jim Gavin always talked about starters and finishers. Finishing with your best team is the way forward. Kieran Kingston, with his own flesh and blood, his son Shane, put testament to that yesterday.
"You will struggle to remember the last time a sub came on and got seven points. You would have to go back to Neil Ronan to remember an impact sub like that for Cork when they were winning All-Irelands in the 2000s.
"It will be an interesting few weeks in the Kingston household. Top teams finishing with their strongest team. If it's not happening for one of their forwards maybe it's good to have a Shane Kingston in reserve with the confidence he has.
"If you're a little bit tired and you're a Limerick defender looking out to the sideline and see Shane Kingston getting ready to come on, it might put a little bit of doubt in your mind."
Looking ahead to what might transpire at GAA HQ on Sunday week, the 2010 All-Ireland winner added: "It's Limerick's to lose, they are an awesome team. John Kiely is on about looking for improvements. He says he wants it from workrate but they scored 1-15 from turning over Waterford.
"That's the standard that is been set at the moment. Can they get better? Kiely feels they can."
McGrath then suggested coyly: "Maybe the ultimate performance is coming in the final?"
