Cork confident poor record has no relevance ahead of Dublin clash
Cork haven't reached an All-Ireland final as provincial winners since way back in 2006 having lost the semi-finals of 2014, '17 and '18 while Munster kingpins, with their final appearances in 2013, '21 and last year coming via the longer route.
However, with a large turnover of players in the Cork panel in recent seasons, O'Leary doesn't imagine there will be any carryover.
'I don't think so,' he said. 'I think we're a lot different team compared to them. As I said, we've gained huge confidence over the last two or three years with performances we've put in. I think that's going to stand to us.
'I don't think, on reflection, it'll be looking back on those games too much, to be honest with you. So, definitely not, no.'
Saturday's game is expected to be a near-sellout, which has now become the norm for the Cork hurlers, who have had full houses for all of their Championship games this year, as well as the League final win over Tipperary.
'Look, everyone in Cork is behind us at the moment,' said O'Leary. 'We see the scenes of games the last two or three years, they've been very good to us and they've gotten us over the line in games, particularly last year as well when we were under pressure earlier on in the Championship.
'But, again, their support, I suppose they don't recognise it at times how much we use it ourselves in the dressing room before games and after games. So, look, it's great.'
And it's somewhat remarkable in the context of the team not having won an All-Ireland in 20 years.
O'Leary added: 'It is mad thinking about it in one way like that. The lack of success in Cork there for a while and they're still turning up to games. But, look, the Cork fans and Cork people are huge hurling people.
'The tradition down there, the teams that have gone in the past, they're only delighted getting behind a team that's actually being competitive again.'
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