Eoin Murphy hoping Kilkenny can bring 'clinical element' and more to final

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