Joe Canning and Liam Rushe believe that Limerick’s annihilation of Cork will do more to boost the Treaty’s self-belief than rattle Rebel confidence.
The seven-in-a-row Munster chasers had lost their last two championship games to their neighbours, including the 2024 All-Ireland semi-final.
But they scorched out of the blocks at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday, building a 15-point half-time lead that was 16 by the finish – 3-26 to 1-16.
“I don’t think so,” said former Galway forward Canning on The Sunday Game when asked whether the reversal would damage a much-hyped Cork psychologically.
“I just didn’t see the same aggressiveness, the same sharpness that I would have seen in them in other games.
“I don’t know if they are too worried about losing.”
Former Dublin defender Liam Rushe agreed, saying: “It’s almost easier to write it off because they know themselves they just did not turn up.
“It’s not like ‘we went toe to toe, we both gave our best performances and we lost’.
“They came up short. OK, that might have an impact further down the line but they will want to come out and put their best foot forward the next day.
“It will give them that bit of motivation.”
As for Limerick, a seventh Munster final appearance in a row has all but been secured and they can rotate their squad against already eliminated Clare.
“It will give Limerick huge belief,” said Canning. “I wouldn’t say it was gone but that fear factor of playing Limerick is definitely back.
“Counties now facing Limerick will be a bit worried that they are back at their peak again.”
