Allianz Hurling League: Will it be an 18th crown for Kilkenny or can Tipperary take their 20th title?

A tantalising title clash is on the way as Kilkenny and Tipperary get set to battle it out for the Allianz Hurling League title this weekend.

The Cats and the Premier County lead the way in the roll of honour - Tipp have 19 titles to Kilkenny’s 17 - and are sure to serve up another thriller when they meet in Nowlan Park on Sunday (throw-in 3.30pm). Will it be an 18th crown for KIlkenny, or can Tipp take their title haul to 20?

PATHS TO THE FINAL

KILKENNY

Cork 1-24 Kilkenny 0-24 (1A)

Clare 2-18 Kilkenny 1-18 (1A)

Kilkenny 1-20 Waterford 1-12 (1A)

Kilkenny 2-22 Tipperary 2-21 (1A)

Kilkenny 0-22 Wexford 0-19 (1A)

Kilkenny 0-24 Offaly 1-19 (Quarter-final)

Kilkenny 1-27 Wexford 2-15 (Semi-final)

Played 7; Won 5, Lost 2

TOP SCORERS

TJ Reid: 1-66 (0-49 frees, 0-4 ‘65s’)

Walter Walsh: 2-11

Alan Murphy: 0-16 (0-11 frees, 0-2 ‘65s’)

Richie Leahy: 0-9

Martin Keoghan: 0-9

TIPPERARY

Clare 1-21 Tipperary 0-19 (1A)

Tipperary 1-20 Waterford 1-11 (1A)

Tipperary 3-21 Wexford 1-21  (1A)

Kilkenny 2-22 Tipperary 2-21 (1A)

Tipperary 1-24 Cork 1-21(1A)

Tipperary 2-25 Dublin 0-20 (Quarter-final)

Tipperary 2-31 Limerick 1-31 after extra-time (Semi-final)

Played 7, Won 5, Lost 2

TOP SCORERS

Jason Forde: 5-60 (0-46 frees, 1-0 pen, 1 sideline)

Michael Breen: 3-16 (0-7 frees)

John McGrath: 1-12

Ronan Maher: 0-14 (0-2 sidelines)

Sean Curran: 0-12

LAST CLASH

KILKENNY 2-22 TIPPERARY 2-21 (Allianz Hurling League Division 1A, 25 February 2018, Nowlan Park)

A rip-roaring contest ended with Kilkenny edging to victory in front of a crowd of 10,587. TJ Reid was Kilkenny’s top scorer on 0-13 (0-7 frees, 0-2 ‘65s’) while Michael Breen was Tipperary’s top marksman with 2-9 (0-7 frees).

LAST FIVE CLASHES

2018: Kilkenny 2-22 Tipperary 2-21 (Allianz HL)

2017: Tipperary 2-17 Kilkenny 3-14 (Allianz HL) Draw

2016: Tipperary 2-29 Kilkenny 2-20 (All-Ireland final)

2016: Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 0-18 (Allianz HL)

2015: Tipperary 2-22 Kilkenny 1-13 (Allianz HL)

LAST FIVE ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE FINALS

KILKENNY

2014: Kilkenny 2-25 Tipperary 1-27 (after extra-time)

2013: Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 0-20

2012: Kilkenny 3-21 Cork 0-16

2011: Dublin 0-22 Kilkenny 1-7

2009: Kilkenny 2-26 Tipperary 4-17 (after extra-time)

Won 4, Lost 1

TIPPERARY

2017: Galway 3-21 Tipperary 0-14

2014: Kilkenny 2-25 Tipperary 1-27 (after extra-time)

2013: Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 0-20

2009: Kilkenny 2-26 Tipperary 4-17 (after extra-time)

2008: Tipperary 3-18 Galway 3-16

Won 1 Lost 4

PREVIOUS KILKENNY/TIPPERARY ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE FINALS

Including ‘home’ finals, next Sunday’s clash will be the 11th Allianz Hurling League final clash between Kilkenny and Tipperary. It’s 5-5 from the previous ten.

1950: Tipperary 3-8 Kilkenny 1-10 (home final)

1954: Tipperary 3-10 Kilkenny 1-4

1957: Tipperary 3-11 Kilkenny 2-7

1965: Tipperary 3-14 Kilkenny 2-8 (home final)

1966: Kilkenny 0-9 Tipperary 0-7 (home final)

1968: Tipperary 3-9 Kilkenny 1-13 (home final)

2003: Kilkenny 5-14 Tipperary 5-13

2009: Kilkenny 2-26 Tipperary 4-17 (after extra-time)

2013: Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 0-20

2014: Kilkenny 2-25 Tipperary 1-27 (After extra-time)

ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE ROLL OF HONOUR (DIVISION ONE)

19 – TIPPERARY (1928-49-50-52-54-55-57-59-60-61-64-65-68-79-88-94-99-2001-2008)

17 – KILKENNY (1933-62-66-76-82-83-86-90-95-2002-2003-2005-2006-2009-2012-2013-2014)

14 – Cork (1926-30-40-41-48-53-69-70-72-74-80-81-93-98)

11 – Limerick (1934-35-36-37-38-47-71-84-85-92-97)

10 – Galway (1932-51-75-87-89-96-2000-2004-2010-2018)

4 – Wexford (1956-58-67-73)

4 – Clare (1946-77-78-2016)

3 – Waterford (1963-2007-2015)

2 – Dublin (1929-39-2011)

1 – Offaly (1991)