Kilkenny have remained unbeaten in the championship since losing to Galway in the 2005 All-Ireland semi-final. They have won 17 games since then.
Tipperary are unbeaten in this year’s championship and lost just two games in the League, both to Kilkenny. Kilkenny won by 5-17 to 1-12 in Nowlan Park in March and by 2-26 to 4-17 (after extra-time ) in the final in Thurles in early May. Kilkenny’s only defeat this year came against Waterford (2-17 to 1-16 ) in the League in Walsh Park in early March.
Brian Cody is managing Kilkenny into an All-Ireland final for the ninth time. Kilkenny won it under his guidance in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008 and lost in 1999 and 2004.
