Cork find themselves in the final four of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship for the first time since 2021, although their path to Croke Park has been a bit of a mixed bag.
They would reach the final three seasons ago, getting the better of old foes Kilkenny in a thriller before being utterly humbled by Limerick in a demolition in Dublin.
This season has been different. It was their thrilling round-robin win against Limerick that reignited their Liam MacCarthy Cup hopes, having suffered tight defeats to Waterford and Clare.
Their subsequent win against Tipperary really cemented their title credentials, Cork running out 4-30 to 1-21 winners at Semple Stadium.
They have had to take the scenic route to the semi-finals as a result of missing out on the Munster Championship final, first beating Offaly in an underwhelming display.
Cork again failed to rediscover their form when keeping Dublin at arms' length in the quarter-finals last Saturday, putting in another performance far from the heights of that win against Limerick.
The hype around Pat Ryan's side has consequently diminished, with many predicting that Limerick will have too much for The Rebels when they meet again in the Championship.
John Mullane Claims Cork's loss of form could be a blessing
However, Waterford hurling legend John Mullane believes Cork's loss of momentum could serve to benefit them when they try to get the better of The Tribesmen on Sunday, July 7.
Without a senior All-Ireland hurling title since 2005, there is a huge pressure on the county to end that drought as evidenced by the raucous post-match scenes in Pairc Ui Chaoimh last month.
However, speaking on The Throw-In Podcast, Mullane has shared his view that Cork's lack of form has diminshed some of the expectation from eager supporters - something that could help the players on the pitch.
"They have players that might have been below-par one weekend but all it takes is for them to rock up, get a couple of scores early doors, get the confidence levels up and they are up and running again,'" he said.
"I actually said last week that it might do this Cork group no harm that talk down around Leeside has started dying out. Expectations levels have started dying out.
"Now, instead of everyone talking Cork up saying 'they are going to beat Limerick', everyone is instead saying 'Cork have no chance against Limerick'.
"That might actually suit this Cork group going into this match against Limerick.
"I said it even last Saturday. This group are at their best when they are being written off and nobody is expecting anything out of them or giving them a chance.
"I wouldn't be writing them off yet. Absolutely not."
An interesting take from Mullane, who had many fierce battles with Cork throughout his career.
