Brian Cody has presided over 13 Leinster title wins with Kilkenny since he took over the side in the autumn of 1998. It's a staggering haul and the bookies have them firm favourites to make it 14. Despite a raft of retirements, including 'King Henry's' departure, the Cats are seen as the best bet to prevail.
Dublin, Galway and Wexford will all be hoping that it will be their summer - It's safe to say that whoever claims the spoils will have earned it as the draw has thrown up some intriguing pairings.
The action began last weekend with the first of the games in the Qualifier group. Ballycastle was the place to be as Antrim edged out Laois by a point in an eight-goal thriller, while Westmeath had two points to spare over Carlow.
The winner of the round-robin will play Offaly in the quarter-final, while the runner-up have a date with Wexford at the same stage. Both games take place on 7 June.
Before that, Galway travel to Croke Park to take on Dublin on 31 May in the remaining quarter-final.
The semi-final line-up pits Offaly/Qualifier winner against Dublin/Galway on Saturday, 20 June. A day later, holders the Cats enter the fray when they take on Wexford/Qualifier runner-up at Nowlan Park.
The Leinster Hurling final is fixed for Sunday, 5 July at Croke Park.
Qualifier group
After a disastrous spring that saw them relegated to Division 2A of the league, Antrim got a welcome shot in the arm with their dramatic win over Laois. That result leaves them well-placed to top the standings, though they may not have it all their own way with away games to come against Westmeath and Carlow.
If they reach the summit, the Saffrons won't be too daunted about having a crack off Offaly in the last-eight.
Seamus 'Cheddar' Plunkett's Laois haven't quite caught the eye so far this season and after last weekend's reverse will be under pressure to get a win away to Carlow. That said, you'd expect them to progress and set up a date with Wexford. Incidentally, it's 30 years since the O'Moore County's famous win over the Yellowbellies in the Leinster semi-final.
Dublin
Ger Cunningham's first season in charge of Dublin looked like it would bring about an appearance in a league final. Cork's late surge in Nowlan Park put pay to that, leaving the Dubs to wonder how they let a 10-point lead slip.
The scars of such a defeat in spring time, however, heal easier than those in the white heat of championship. You'd expect Cunningham to have his charges well tuned in for the clash with Galway at the end of May and much time no doubt will have been spent on sorting out their defence and cutting down on the number of frees that let the door open for the Rebels to make hay in the league semi-final.
In attack, Mark Schutte and David 'Dotsy' O'Callaghan stood out during the spring and there's a good argument that Conal Keaney should also be deployed up front.
Dublin have a squad that can regain the Leinster title but they will need a consistency of performance that wasn't always there during the league in order to achieve that. A win over the Tribesmen, however, will guarantee a place in the semi-final and no little momentum in the race for All-Ireland honours.
Galway
One of hurling's great enigmas embark on another campaign with perhaps less expectation on them to secure silverware in the weeks ahead.
Galway's league campaign ended on a rather limp note against Waterford in the Division 1 quarter-final, leaving them a full two months to prepare for their date with Dublin.
It's a defining championship for Tribes boss Anthony Cunningham, now in his fourth year in charge. Galway haven't always taken to the qualifiers and you'd wonder how they would respond if they fall at the first hurdle. That said, a win on Jones' Road on the last day of May could set them up for a long summer. The same also applies to Dublin.
Galway's cause has been helped by the return of Niall Healy, who missed last year's championship with a cruciate ligament injury. He no doubt will feature in an attacking formation that boasts much talent, spearheaded by one Joe Canning.
Therein lies the crux. On their day, Galway have the wherewithal to beat any team and the way they dismantled Kilkenny in the 2012 Leinster final is an indication of what they can do if the mood takes them. A repeat of that performance from three years ago would see them go far in this campaign.
Kilkenny
Six key players, including Henry Shefflin and JJ Delaney, have departed the Kilkenny scene since last September's All-Ireland replay win over Tipperary. Without the Ballyhale contingent for nearly all of the league and minus others due to injury, the Cats had to survive a play-off with Clare to guarantee their top-flight status. Ahead of the championship, many questions arise as to whether Brian Cody's charges can retain their Leinster and All-Ireland titles.
However, with Cody still at the helm and the extra impetus that he will give to the side, it would be foolish to dismiss Kilkenny's chances on the basis of those who have retired. It's fair to say that only JJ Delaney would have featured in Cody's starting line-up for the upcoming games.
Kilkenny have a bye through to the semi-final where Wexford, assuming they beat the qualifier runner-up, will face them at Nowlan Park. That won't be an easy assignment against Liam Dunne's improving side. With all the question surrounding Kilkenny's well-being, any assessment on them should take the approach of one game at a time.
Offaly
A league campaign that saw the Faithful county make the Division 1 quarter-final boosted morale for all Offaly followers after what was a difficult 2014. The win over Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds was the standout moment.
Brian Whelahan's side will fancy their chances of making a provincial semi-final and a date with either Galway or Dublin. Being competitive in that clash will be all important as Offaly look to leave a positive mark on their summer endeavours.
Wexford
Liam Dunne's Wexford were one of the teams of 2014. That brings a pressure of sorts ahead of this campaign. Backed by success at U-21 level, the Model County have risen again and in the shape of Conor McDonald and Liam Og McGovern have players of real talent.
The league saw Wexford fail to emerge from Division 1B, with Waterford clearly the masters in the game that decided promotion. In the subsequent quarter-final against Cork, they failed to score for the last half hour in a game and fluffed their lines more often than not in front of the posts.
Cutting down on the wide tally will be paramount ahead of their first outing and a potential date with Kilkenny in the semi-final. It's 2004 since Wexford last beat their neighbours in the championship and a victory this year would see Dunne's side take another step in establishing themselves a real force.
