It's ten years since Kilkenny last brought home the Liam MacCarthy and while much of the narrative has been about Munster's hegemony since, the panel on The Sunday Game feel that Derek Lyng's side have a great chance to reign supreme come the third weekend in July.
On Sunday, the Cats completed a Leinster six-timer when accounting for Galway at Croke Park. They now have four weeks to prepare for an All-Ireland semi-final. But for now, Anthony Daly was quick to credit them for standing tall in the province again.
"It's incredible going," he said.
"We all mention the era of the round-robin in how you could slip up and get caught but they're the dominant force in the province, great achievement.
"I'm delighted for Derek, taking over from Brian (Cody), that was always going to be tough going. I think he's doing a really good job and I think they have a chance of going all the way. I'd be a small bit worried that they lull a bit in a lot of games and they'll have to iron that out.
"They have a few weeks off now and we're looking at the potential of a few big clashes down the line. We won't get ahead of ourselves but congrats to them today."
Also on the programme, Ursula Jacob spoke about them having to now step it up in a month's time and the strength they have down the spine of their team.
"They have obviously been very dominant in Leinster and the challenge is can they drive on from that?," said the former Wexford camogie star.
"To win today without Eoin Cody, who is one of their star players, was really impressive.
"Their back line looked very comfortable, maybe part of that was down to Galway not applying a whole lot of pressure. They looked very impressive down the spine; Huw Lawlor was immense, Richie Reid was dominant and then you have TJ (Reid) and Mossy Keoghan scoring goals for fun.
The Sunday Game panel believe that this Kilkenny team have played themselves into the contenders conversation for the All-Ireland title. Galway perhaps a touch defensive in their set-up, says Anthony Daly. #rtegaa #TheSundayGame pic.twitter.com/WIHqNhlbOA
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 8, 2025
"You have to say that Kilkenny thrive off the space and the pitch at Croke Park. When they get to an All-Ireland semi-final in Croke Park, they are a dangerous animal, and they'll also be hurting from last year's loss to Clare. They will want to show the Munster teams that they are there or thereabouts."
Brendan Cummins, who was between the posts for a number of All-Ireland final clashes with Kilkenny, is in no doubt where they stand in the pecking order, when saying: "Kilkenny are definitely in the top three teams in the country".
And the prospect of likely facing Munster opposition in the semis will motivate them even more in the view of Cummins.
"Last year, Clare had everything to do to beat them. I think they like that fact that everyone talks about Munster hurling. If they end up playing Limerick further down the road, they will be licking their lips at that. Eoin Cody will be back and the narrative will be that you keep the score down as best you can, but Kilkenny are a very proud county.
"I don't know the last time someone hammered Kilkenny. There is something inside Kilkenny and it's a long time since they won an All-Ireland and let us be the ones to do that. They have a great chance."
