The king is dead, long live the king. Limerick's long reign as All-Ireland champions is over, with Cork producing an all-time great performance to dethrone John Kiely's men at Croke Park this afternoon.
There was quite a bit of hype heading into this semi-final, with many expecting Cork to put up a firm challenge in this fixture. A top class contest was expected, but this one surpassed even the highest of expectations.
It was a remarkable game of hurling. The two sides went hell for leather right from the first whistle, with Limerick's measured approach combatted with a a fast-paced attack from the Rebels.
Limerick would lead by a couple of points at halftime, but the second half was very much Cork's.
The rebel roar is loud as Patrick Collins makes a spectacular save and it's followed up by a monster point from Declan Dalton.
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There were absolutely sensational after the interval, at one point leading by as much as seven points. The Liam MacCarthy holders would put up a fierce resistance, ensuring there would be a nervy finish to the contest.
However, in the end, Cork would run out as deserved winners on scoreline of 1-28 to 0-29.
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Joe Canning Massively Impressed By Cork All-Ireland Run
This was a monumental victory for Cork, who have gone through quite a few darks days since their last All-Ireland triumph 19 years ago. They still have a massive hurdle to overcome when they face Clare in the final, but there will be plenty of belief in the Rebel County that their long famine may be coming to an end.
They have reached that stage while using a style of play that is not really similar to any other team in the country, something that makes this feat all the more impressive.
Speaking on RTÉ, Joe Canning summed up why Cork deserved huge credit for coming this far while making their own mark on the game.
Could you imagine this after the first two rounds of the Munster Championship? They had to play Limerick down in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and they were gone if they lost that. It was the 73rd or 74th minute until they went ahead again and won the game.
It's very fine margins that tip it to a successful year or a really bad year. They turned around the year and fair play to them.
Do you know what, they're playing a different type of game plan than everyone else with the three (forwards) inside.
At the start of the second half, every puck-out went long down on top of Brian Hayes and they got breaks off it, and they got scores. Every puck-out went route one. It's old school enough, but it works for them.
Fair play to them.
The All-Ireland final between Cork and Clare should be an absolute cracker, with both teams likely to come into that game fully believing that they are going to lift the Liam MacCarthy.
It should be an incredible occasion.
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