Pat Ryan admitted the way Cork performed against Dublin won't cut it when they go up against Limerick in the All-Ireland Hurling semi-final in two weeks' time.
The Rebels were 0-26 to 0-21 winners over Dublin in Saturday's quarter-final at Semple Stadium, enough to take another step deeper into the championship but with areas of improvement.
The reward for progression to the semi-finals is a meeting with reigning All-Ireland champions Limerick on Sunday, 7 July at Croke Park.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the win over Dublin but before it was clear which of Limerick or Kilkenny awaited Cork, manager Ryan outlined the mixed emotions from the performance and outcome.
"We're delighted that we did enough to win but obviously that performance won't be troubling Kilkenny or Limerick in an All-Ireland semi-final," he said.
"But at the same time we're very proud of our lads and the way they performed today.
"In fairness to Dublin, I thought they brought a huge intensity to it, they play a good running game and we left a couple of opportunities behind us in that first half that probably would have opened the game up for us, but look, delighted with the win."
Cork were able to welcome back Robbie O'Flynn who helped himself to two points after entering the fray with ten minutes to go.
"Robbie's been going great. He played with his club last week to get a bit of form and a bit of game-time," said Ryan.
"It's hard for the lads there that there aren't matches coming in but we know the type of player Robbie is.
"He's had a tough time with injuries but he's mentally very strong and ready to go, so he'll be in contention for two weeks' time."
FT: Dublin 0-21 Cork 0-26
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Heated scenes between both sets of players in the dying seconds as Cork seal their place in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final
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Dublin manager Micheál Donoghue rued missed opportunities from his side as they exited the championship.
"We had opportunities, we didn't take them and at this level if you don't take the opportunities, you can rue the result," he said.
"I can't fault the boys' attitude. It was top class. We took a fair bit of criticism and understandably so after the performance in the Leinster final and I thought they responded brilliantly to a man.
"And I know when we reflect back on it, we know we missed a lot of real opportunities and maybe the chance to progress.
He added: "We spoke about this as a journey and I think for this team, they have to play in big meaningful games like Leinster finals, like All-Ireland quarter-finals and you can only gain that experience by playing in games of this magnitude.
"Because when you're here, you have to be ruthless in your execution and I think we'd 16 wides. At half-time we were content where we were in the game, we were five down and probably the first five or six minutes after half-time probably hurt us the most in that we conceded another three and then we were just chasing it. But testament to the lads, they fought till the end."
