It's nearing a sell-out and, if it's anything like the classic they played out in May, Cork and Limerick are set to serve up another memorable clash in Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final.
When the two sides met at Pairc Uí Chaoímh in the Munster championship, Cork's fate hung in the balance, with the Rebels having lost their first two games of the round-robin to Clare and Waterford.
They would stun John Kiely's perennial winners with a first-half blitz and, after Limerick fought back to lead in the second period, Patrick Horgan would secure a memorable win for the home side with a last-gasp penalty.
It was one of the most memorable wins for Cork in recent years and proved decisive in earning them their place in the All-Ireland series.
Their reward for their quarter-final win over Dublin is a rematch with the defending champions in Croke Park on Sunday, with the Rebels hoping they can be the ones to halt Limerick's march to five-in-a-row.
However, Cork know the shock factor of their game plan in the Munster game will not be as effective the second time around.
Galway legend Joe Canning believes that the aerial battle will once again be crucial and that Cork must be brave in sticking to the best of their successful game plan from May.
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Joe Canning says pressure on Cork in aerial battle v Limerick
11 May 2024; Patrick Horgan of Cork is congratulated by supporters after the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 3 match between Cork and Limerick at SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
In May, Cork utilised the space around the Limerick half-back line to great effect, though the All-Ireland champions will surely be ready for the same tactic to be used this time around.
Writing in his column in the Irish Times, Joe Canning said that the game is likely to play out more like the second-half in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoímh did, with Limerick ready for the aerial battle.
Canning said that Cork must be brave in sticking to their guns and exploiting the height in their forward line.
They have players who can attack the ball in the air: Brian Hayes, Alan Connolly, Seamus Harnedy and Declan Dalton.
Dalton will be on Kyle Hayes’s wing so there won’t be any puck-outs going down that side. In the Páirc, they went after Diarmuid Byrnes and they also tried to fly the ball over Declan Hannon. In the first half that worked, spectacularly.
Limerick won’t allow that to happen again so if Cork go long their forwards will have to come up with possession under serious pressure. This is the stress test for them. Handy ball won’t be available.
It's hard to see Cork stunning Limerick out of the blocks in the same manner in which they did earlier this summer but, if they can once again show their strength in the air, they might just have a chance of a repeat upset.
Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final is set to be a humdinger, with throw-in at Croke Park at 4pm.
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