Kilkenny secured their place in a first All-Ireland final since 2019 on Saturday evening as they dispatched of Clare in Croke Park.
That victory also means the Cats avoided the unwanted streak of losing three consecutive semi-finals following defeats to Waterford and Cork respectively in 2020 and 2021.
The Leinster champions showcased all of their attributes at GAA Headquarters with the game all but over when the teams entered the tunnel at the half-time interval.
The result means Brian Cody will have the opportunity to claim a record-breaking 12th All-Ireland title during his 24-year spell in charge of his native county when his men take on Limerick in the decider.
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Speaking after he witnessed his side’s best performance of the championship to date, the managerial master reflected on a memorable day for Kilkenny supporters and looked ahead to the tantilising clash between the provincial champions in less than two weeks time.
Cody began: “The players have to go out and perform at the end of the day. You have to be able to adapt to each game and our lads just played brilliantly today.
“Their work rate, honesty, togetherness and skill was great. The first half performance was as good as we could ever ask for. We played the game out well in the second half and I would not have anything but admiration for the players.
“We were playing against a top class team. We were well prepared who will obviously be very disappointed. We never expected that we would win in the way that we did. Basically, we came up here to work like dogs and we would have taken any type of victory.
He continued: “Everyone knows that there is going to be a battle for places. I’ve said it before on plenty of occasions that I’m not concerned with having a settled team, it’s all about having a settled panel.
“The importance of the panel is the key to everything. We’re capable of making three or four changes each game and maintain our level. Very often, we can even improve.
“I’m not concerned if we have been underestimated. I haven’t underestimated us and throughout the course of the championship I have had absolute belief that we will be competitive.
“I’m not saying that we’re going to win anything, but that we’ll compete and give everything in each game and that’s all you can ask for.
On the upcoming final with Limerick he stated: “There’s no master plan for the All-Ireland final. At the end of the day, it is the biggest game of them all.
“You have to go play a game and while there is a huge crowd and all the other things come with it, you haver to be prepared like you would be for any other game. You have to play at the level that you’ve shown in trying to get there.”