Shane McGrath believes Antrim have earned the respect of their peers at the top table of hurling as they prepare for an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final against Cork on Saturday.
The Ulster side go into the game as underdogs but they are the winners of this year's Joe McDonagh Cup and former Tipperary hurler McGrath says Antrim are no longer viewed as a surprise package by the sport's elite.
"I think what Antrim have now that maybe they didn't have in previous years is respect from all the Liam MacCarthy teams," he told RTÉ's Game On.
"I suppose they probably felt a little bit let down during the week when the launch of the championship was on and they weren't at it - and there was no Kerry representative at it either. That was a big boo-boo not to have Kerry or Antrim there.
"But I think from a hurling point of view, I think Antrim now have the respect. It's no longer going up to Belfast and opening a pitch or an exhibition game.
"You're going up to Belfast now and you know it's going to be a really tough game. Look at the way Antrim played against Clare last year in the league and even Dublin in the league this year. The surprise element is gone now."
He added that Saturday will be a "free shot" to cause a major upset for Antrim and Kerry against Cork and Wexford respectively.
"(Kerry) had some good victories in the Joe McDonagh. I looked at the team of the week in hurling and it was TJ Reid, Tony Kelly and Podge Boyle from Kerry," said McGrath.
"They have top class players as well. Jordan Conroy came off the bench and scored 2-02 as a sub the other day.
"And the mental strength that they showed (against Antrim). They were 12 points down at one stage and showed great heart and mental strength. I think it's a reflection of their manager.
"Stephen Molumphy, I hurled against him and watched him hurl for Waterford for a long time and he's a really driven guy, never-give-up attitude and I think he has that in his players."
Follow live updates of Antrim v Cork and Kerry v Wexford ( 2pm) on RTÉ Sport Online or the RTÉ News app, and on RTÉ Radio 1.
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