But Tipperary will be odds-on favourites to end Dublin's title challenge next month, especially after their demolition of Waterford in the Munster final.

Asked if his charges will adopt a 'nothing to lose' attitude, Daly admitted: "There'd be an element of that. Tipp looked like a machine the last day and even against Clare.

"They seem to be able to go through the gears unbelievably. We'd be under no illusions and we're going to have to come up with some sort of a system. I'll be on the blower to Davy (Fitzgerald), and to Sparrow (Ger O'Loughlin)!"

He can take some encouragement from Dublin's one-point win over Tipperary on the way to their Allianz Hurling League success earlier this year.

Many feel that come Championship time teams like Tipp and Kilkenny operate on a higher level than others, and a rematch between the two looks likely for the first Sunday in September.

However, Daly is quietly confident that the Dubs can have a say in the destination of the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

"We'll get back tomorrow and try to come up with something to try to stop this machine we're all witnessing.

"Everyone is eyeing up a 'big two' final, but we'll do our best to have something to say about it."

As for their 3-13 to 0-18 victory over Limerick, Daly praised his players' character and resolve as they overcame the late setback of losing Conal Keaney to injury on Friday.

He also reserved special praise for hat-trick hero Ryan O'Dwyer, stating: "Ryan was outstanding, he stepped up to the plate. You were all telling us we couldn't get goals but in fairness he was outstanding.

"Everyone played their part. Ryan wouldn't have been through probably only for the boys that set him up a couple of times, especially the third one when 'Dotsy' (David O'Callaghan) cut inside. It's a team effort."

Keaney, who sustained season-ending injuries in a traffic accident, sent his team-mates a video message on Saturday and it provided them with some added inspiration.

The Ballyboden St Enda's clubman ruptured his cruciate ligament after being struck accidentally by a van. He attended Tallaght Hospital and the Santry Clinic and is due to have surgery on his knee next Friday.

It was a quiet a weekend for man-of-the-match Ryan O'Dwyer, whose three goals saw him celebrate his 25th birthday in style.

But he brushed off the post-match compliments, instead preferring to name check the Dublin players who have been struck down by injuries this year.

"One thing I have to say...we've been plagued with a few injuries and our driving force out there was Conal Keaney, who was involved in an accident on Friday," he told TV3.

"Throughout the year, we've had Stephen Hiney, Tomás Brady and Ruairí Trainor ruled out by injury. They were our driving force at the end of the day.

"We did it for them. I know they'd do anything to be out there and I think we just did them justice."

O'Dwyer, who was bloodied and bruised by the finish, clearly revelled in his deployment at full-forward.

Whilst admitting that he will play wherever he is put, the prospect of facing his fellow Tipperarymen is already at the forefront of his mind.

O'Dwyer revealed: "Two of the Tipp lads sent me texts (before the match), Brendan Cummins and James Woodlock, just slagging me saying, 'you've a great prize if you win...in three weeks' time you get to play us'.

"There'll be a bit of banter coming up to it now. I know around my town in Cashel hopefully there'll be a bit of support for the Dubs. It might change a few people."