Manager Mickey Ned O'Sullivan has plumped for an unchanged starting line-up, backing the 15 players who started the agonising Munster final defeat to Kerry.

A number of positional switches are expected in the forward lines, while lynchpin midfielder John Galvin will be hoping to have a big influence on proceedings.

Limerick and Cork met in last year's provincial decider, which the Rebels won by a single point (2-6 to 0-11).

The Shannonsiders are bidding to reach the All-Ireland quarter-final stage for the first time, and O'Sullivan insists that home advantage, secured by the toss of a coin, could prove to be a key factor.

"For the past six Championship matches, we have been away from home so we felt that on the law of averages it would be worth a toss, especially in view that our supporters had to travel for those games," he said.

"It was important that we got a home venue for everybody, but the supporters especially."

The Limerick boss, who is in his fifth year in charge, would dearly love to reach the last-eight of the All-Ireland Championship.

That would represent a huge achievement for O'Sullivan's charges, and he feels this Cork side, talked up as possible Sam Maguire Cup winners this year, will travel with huge expectations on them.

"It will take a big effort, a massive effort on behalf of our players because with the talent that Cork have at their disposal, they could put out two teams," admitted O'Sullivan.

"The pressure is on Cork. It is Cork's All-Ireland this year.

"So the pressure is on them - they have to win their All-Ireland and they can't win it if they don't beat us."

LIMERICK (SFC v Cork): B Scanlon; M O'Riordan, J McCarthy, A Lane; S Lavin, S Lucey, P Ranahan; J O'Donovan, J Galvin; P Browne, J Ryan, S Buckley (capt); G Collins, I Ryan, S Kelly.