Heading into this weekend's All Ireland Hurling semi-final, Limerick will be confident that they can be a match for Kilkenny.
But the last three post-Millennium meetings at the business end of Championships, have all ended in heartache as it coincided with the Cats era of dominance...
Kilkenny 4-16 to Limerick 1-16 (2012 Quarter-final)
Limerick's David Breen celebrates scoring the opening goal ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Henry Shefflin, the record scorer in this head-to-head matchup, was in top form for Kilkenny in this Semple Stadium encounter, contributing 2-6 as the Cats saw off a spirited Limerick who had a goal of their own through David Breen.
Of the Limerick XV named for this Sunday's clash, only Tom Condon, Seamus Hickey, Paul Browne and Kevin Downes did not start the match two years ago. However Hickey, Downes and Browne came on as subs during that defeat.
So with plenty of figures from that game on show, there will be plenty of appetite for revenge from a Limerick perspective.
Kilkenny 2-19 to Limerick 1-15 (2007 Final)
Kilkenny's Henry Shefflin with Seamus Hickey and Stephen Lucey of Limerick ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
The last time the Treaty were in the final reckoning for the Liam McCarthy Cup, it was Kilkenny who foiled them in the first All Ireland final match between the pair since the 1974 decider.
In 2007, Limerick had come through a quarter-final against Clare and a five-goal showing against Waterford in the semi-final.
But they could not muster that goal count against a Cats side who lost Shefflin to injury heading into the break at a rain-sodden Croke Park.
Indeed the game appeared over early on as Kilkenny raced into a 2-2 to 0-0 lead within the first 10 minutes. Although David Moran got a goal back for Limerick in the second half, Kilkenny held on for their second All Ireland in a row and the second of a four-in-a-row.
Kilkenny 0-18 to Limerick 0-13 (2005 Quarter-final)
Kilkenny's DJ Carey is congratulated by Donie Ryan of Limerick ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
There was a certain degree of novelty in this match as it ended a 31 year wait for a Championship contest between the two. And like the 1974 All Ireland final, it was Kilkenny that came out on top to make it four wins each on head-to-head results.
Pre-game some bookmakers had offered odds of 8/1 for a Limerick win and although Kilkenny did not pull up any trees, they eventually managed to build up a five point advantage before the end, with DJ Carey and Shefflin combining for 0-12 of their 0-18 total.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
