Shane McGrath feels Tipperary will travel to Páirc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday with a spring in their step after a dramatic opening weekend in the Munster Hurling Championship.
The Premier County were big underdogs but secured a draw against holders Limerick while Cork, who hammered Tipp in the league final just over a fortnight ago, blew a 12-point lead to also draw, against All-Ireland champions Clare.
"When John McGrath's second goal went in, it was the biggest roar I’ve heard in some time in Semple Stadium for a Tipp team," said the two-time All-Star on the RTÉ GAA podcast.
"Everyone is getting behind them. It was good for the soul as a Tipp person.
"Tipp got asked a lot of questions but they answered them all. They took the fight to Limerick. When Noel McGrath came on, he just gave an exhibition.
"They’re not going to set up the way they did in the league final. They’re going down there with a bit more confidence and should see a better performance.
"They don’t absolutely have to win this match now they have a point on the board.
"Cork possibly without Robert Downey, Shane Barrett, Ciarán Joyce. I don’t think they have anything to lose now."
McGrath felt that Barrett was deservedly sent off for an off-the-ball arm to the head of David Reidy but that they were still eight points clear at that point and should have closed the game out.
"I think it was an absolute capitulation by Cork," he said.
"I wouldn’t blame the Shane Barrett thing. I know there had to be positional changes but they still had chances to win the game.
"The resilience shown by Clare was unbelievable.
"Fair play to them for getting it back but I still think Cork should be winning that game."
Limerick are aiming for a record-extening seventh Munster crown in a row but will sit this weekend out as Waterford welcome the Banner to Walsh Park.
"Limerick were at full tilt in terms of effort but they didn't look their normal selves to me," said McGrath. "They were lucky to get a draw.
"They had a few below-par performances but I think that was down to the intensity that Tipp brought.
"Normally, the first day out in the round-robin, Limerick do kind of find their feet. They haven’t been absolutely brilliant first day out every year. They won’t panic but I think having the week off is big for them.
"I think they will have learned a lot. For me, you have to play Will O’Donoghue at midfield for his influence on the game. I’d put Adam English with him. Kyle Hayes is at his best at 6 and I’d put Cian Lynch back centre-forward.
"Every time Limerick are struggling as a group, Cian Lynch is phenomenal as an individual. He kept winning ball he had no right to, kept winning frees, kept drawing tackles, laying off passes. He was immense."
Watch a Munster Hurling Championship double-header, Waterford v Clare and Cork v Tipperary, on Sunday from 1.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on all matches on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to updates from around the country on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Listen to the RTÉ GAA Podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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