Champions of the last two years, Cuala and Na Piarsaigh, meet in Saturday's All-Ireland Club SHC final in Croke Park (3.45) in what promises to be a top-class contest.
Holders Cuala, Dublin's sole All-Ireland club SHC champions, will be attempting to join a very elite group of back-to-back winners of the Tommy Moore Cup.
That feat was last achieved by Galway's Portumna in 2008-2009 and only three other clubs have reached that milestone in their history - Birr (Offaly) 2002-2003, Athenry (Galway) 2000-2001 and Sarsfields (Galway) 1993-1994.
Both of St Patrick's Day finalists have impressed en route to their Croke Park encounter with Limerick's Na Piarsaigh overcoming Blackrock (Cork) and Ballygunner (Waterford) in the Munster Championship before eventually defeating Slaughtneil (Derry) in their All-Ireland semi-final despite being reduced to 13 men.
Since emerging as Dublin champions again Cuala have beaten Dicksboro (Kilkenny), St Martin’s (Wexford), Kilcormac-Killoughey (Offaly) and Liam Mellows (Galway).
The Dalkey men have tallied 7-77 in that quartet of wins at an average of 24.5 points per game.
Thirteen players have contributed to that tally with David Treacy leading the way with 0-32, with all bar four of those points coming from placed balls.
Their defence has been equally impressive, conceding just 2-51 at an average of just over 14 points and they are expected to welcome team captain Paul Schutte back from injury for Saturday's duel.
Former Dublin minor and U21 hurling manager, Joe Fortune, is expecting a battle royale between these two hurling heavyweights.
“I don’t think there is any question that they are the two best teams in the country and what both teams possess in abundance is experience," says Joe.
“Some relatively new teams have been involved in the final in recent years and perhaps their inexperience showed in their performances but that’s not the case for the weekend.
“Both teams will be very well prepared and a large number of their respective panels are involved with the Limerick and Dublin senior panels so the occasion shouldn’t get to them that much.
“Having won the title for the first time as recently as they have, both teams will be determined to re-affirm their dominance and it’s very hard to separate the teams in terms of the talents that they have.
“One of the hardest things to achieve in hurling is to win back-to-back championships and Cuala have to prove both to themselves and the rest of the country that they possess the hunger to get over the line on Saturday.
“They are mentally very strong and their recent successes have only made them stronger in that aspect of the game.
“Their mentality has always been to focus on the next immediate challenge and not look too far ahead and that ethos has served them well."
ALL-IRELAND CLUB SHC: Roll of Honour
Ballyhale Shamrocks (6): 1981, 1984, 1990, 2007, 2010, 2015
Birr (4): 1995, 1998, 2002, 2003
Portumna (4): 2006, 2008, 2009, 2014
Athenry (3): 1997, 2000, 2001
James Stephens (3): 1976, 1982, 2005
Blackrock (3): 1972, 1974, 1979
St Finbarr’s (2): 1975, 1978
Sarsfields (2): 1993, 1994
Glen Rovers (2): 1973, 1977
Loughgiel Shamrocks (2): 1983, 2012
Castlegar (1): 1980
Buffer’s Alley (1): 1989
St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield (1): 1999
Clarinbridge (1): 2011
Newtownshandrum (1): 2004
Roscrea (1): 1971
St Martin’s (1): 1985
Kilruane McDonagh’s (1): 1986
Borris-Ileigh (1): 1987
Midleton (1): 1988
Glenmore (1): 1991
Kiltormer (1): 1992
Sixmilebridge (1): 1996
St Thomas’ (1): 2013
Na Piarsaigh (1): 2016
Cuala (1): 2017