It's not often that a Brian Cody team go in as underdogs in an All-Ireland final. That's the situation they find themselves in for this year's decider against Limerick, but John Kiely's side are from overwhelming favourites to complete their hat-trick.
The Cats are coming in on the back of an impressive victory over Clare in the semi-final; before that they kept Galway's at arms length in the Leinster final.
Many would argue that Limerick aren't quite at the level of 2020 and '21. Clare pushed them all the way in that epic Munster finale, while Galway asked more than a few questions a fortnight ago.
It was Kilkenny who ended Cork's quest for a three-in-a-row back in 2006 - the 'long grass' final. They can deny the Shannonsiders something similar, albeit on a surface that should be agreeable to both sides.
Of course, the Cats were the last side to lower Limerick colours in championship combat - that was at the last-four stage in 2019. In the following two seasons, Cody's side fell at that same hurdle, first to Waterford, and then to Cork last year after extra-time.
Losses that were "extremely disappointing", according to Kilkenny goalkeeper Eoin Murphy, when speaking to RTÉ Sport in advance of this Sunday's showdown.
"When you get to an All-Ireland the whole build-up is like a little reward for all the work you've put in all year. At various stages in the last two semi-finals we were in control and didn't finish the job which was extremely disappointing."
The semi-final job was well and truly finished when the Banner were put to the sword on 2 July. A performance that satisfied Murphy: "Finding that clinical element in that game was key. We took a lot of the chances that were presented to us."
Indeed, the three-time All Star has noted Kilkenny's improvement since that evening they lost to Wexford in the Leinster round-robin.
"The semi-final win was really satisfying in that we put two good performances back-to-back following the Leinster final. The Wexford game was extremely disappointing; we didn't finish the group stages of Leinster on a positive note.
"We were chugging away at Nowlan Park and never got going. The two performances since were good for the soul."
And now the task of trying to dethrone the champions awaits. Murphy points out that his side are "one of the counties chasing behind" in the pecking order.
"If you're not up to what Limerick are bringing on the day I think you'll be blown out of the water," was his assessment of where the Shannonsiders are currently at.
"They can steamroll teams, so it's extremely tough to get up to that level.
"It's going to take a massive effort, a huge amount of effort around the middle third, something where Limerick have set their stall out over the last couple of years.
"Since that game in 2019 Limerick have raised the bar a couple of levels again. It's up to the other counties to get up to them and we are one of the counties chasing behind."
That said, the Cats custodian is relishing another appearance on hurling's biggest day and adds that preparations are going well as the county bids to end a seven-year wait for Liam MacCarthy.
"Things have gone well since the semi-final. I think it was important that we got back in and recovered quickly after the game. It's a short window, only two weeks but we have no injuries, that's always a good sign.
"We know that if we take the chances we did against Clare we'll be in with a good chance. We'll certainly be giving it our all."
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