For the third year in a row, Kilkenny and Clare will lock horns at Croke Park in the semi-finals.
Kilkenny are the most successful county in All-Ireland history, with a staggering 36 Liam MacCarthy Cups to their name.
However, their search for a 37th All-Ireland title has reached a ninth year.
Despite falling short in last year’s final, manager Derek Lyng – who succeeded the legendary Brian Cody – impressed in his debut season with victory in the Leinster Championship.
Now in his second season at the helm, where pressure and expectations naturally grow, Lyng has guided the Cats to their fifth provincial title in a row and finds himself in a repeat of last year’s semi-final showdown against Clare.
Kilkenny booked their spot in the semi-finals as they cruised to victory over Dublin in the provincial decider last month with a whopping 3-28 to 1-18 scoreline.
Brian Lohan’s side will be out for revenge after Kilkenny ran out 2-22 to 1-22 winners in 2023 to deny the Bannermen a first appearance in the final since their triumph in 2013.
In recent years, Clare have emerged as one of the favourites to end Limerick’s dominance in the All-Ireland series.
Could this finally be their year?
Clare will feel fit for the challenge having already defeated Kilkenny in a 3-16 to 1-20 victory in the National Hurling League final at Semple Stadium in April. That was their first league triumph since 2016.
They come into Saturday’s semi-final off the back of a dominant 2-28 to 1-19 quarter-final display against Wexford, with Shane O’Donnell hitting 1-4 and talisman Tony Kelly notching 0-6.
