View source for Kilkenny county hurling team

{{Short description|Hurling team}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox Gaelic games county team
| name                    = Kilkenny
| crest                   = Kilkenny GAA Crest.jpeg
| sport                   = [[Hurling]]
| irish                   = Cill Chainnigh
| nickname                = [[Kilkenny cats|The Cats]]<br>The Stripey Men<br>The Noresiders<br>The Black and Amber
| county board            = [[Kilkenny GAA]]
| manager                 = [[Derek Lyng]]<!-- IN THE EVENT OF A DIFFERENT MANAGER BEING APPOINTED, ALSO UPDATE THE 'CURRENT MANAGEMENT TEAM' & 'MANAGERIAL HISTORY' SECTIONS ON THIS PAGE, AS WELL AS ANY RELEVANT TEMPLATE IN [[Category:Hurling team manager history navigational boxes]] -->
| captain                 = 
| most appearances        = <!-- Forename Surname (0) -->
| top scorer              = <!-- Forename Surname (0–0) -->
| home venues             = [[Nowlan Park]], [[Kilkenny]]
| shc                     = '''SF''' in [[2024 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2024]]
| last championship title = [[2015 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2015]]
| nhl division            = 1
| last league title       = [[2021 National Hurling League|2021]]
<!-- home kit -->
| pattern_la1             = _oneillsgold
| pattern_b1              = _blackstripes
| pattern_ra1             = _oneillsgold
| pattern_sh1             = _goldsides
| pattern_so1             = _hoops black
| leftarm1                = 000000
| body1                   = ffcc00
| rightarm1               = 000000
| shorts1                 = ffffff
| socks1                  = ffcc00
<!--- away kit -->
| pattern_la2             = _oneillsgold
| pattern_b2              = _blackstripes
| pattern_ra2             = _oneillsgold
| pattern_sh2             = _goldsides
| pattern_so2             = _hoops_black
| leftarm2                = 000000
| body2                   = 827D99
| rightarm2               = 000000
| shorts2                 = ffffff
| socks2                  = ffcc00
| current                 = 
}}

The '''Kilkenny county hurling team''' represents [[County Kilkenny|Kilkenny]] in [[hurling]] and is governed by [[Kilkenny GAA]], the [[County board (Gaelic games)|county board]] of the [[Gaelic Athletic Association]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kilkenny GAA |url=https://kilkennygaa.ie/ |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=Kilkenny GAA |language=en}}</ref> The team competes in the three major annual inter-county competitions; the [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]], the [[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship]], and the [[National Hurling League]]. Historically, Kilkenny is the most successful team at senior level.

Kilkenny's home ground is [[Nowlan Park]], [[Kilkenny]]. The team's manager is [[Derek Lyng]].

The team last won the Leinster Senior Championship in [[2024 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|2024]], the All-Ireland Senior Championship in [[2015 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2015]] and the National League in [[2021 National Hurling League|2021]].

==History==
Kilkenny is the most successful county team at senior level in the history of the game of hurling. Kilkenny has won the [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland Championship]] 36 times and has won the provincial [[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|Leinster Championship]] on 75 occasions as of 2023.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cats dominate depleted Dubs to retain Leinster Hurling Championship crown|url=https://www.skysports.com/gaa/hurling/news/30554/12358012/kilkenny-1-25-dublin-0-19-cats-dominate-depleted-dubs-to-retain-leinster-hurling-championship-crown|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=24 July 2021}}</ref>

===Beginning of the modern era===
[[File:Kilkenny Hurler (circa 1923).jpg|thumb|left|150px|A Kilkenny hurler, {{c.}} 1923]]
[[File:Kilkenny Hurling Team (6184678340).jpg|thumb|left|Kilkenny hurling team of 1923]]
In 1922, Kilkenny won its sixteenth Leinster title before later lining out in the All-Ireland final against [[Tipperary GAA|Tipperary]]. In an exciting game, Tipperary were winning by three points with three minutes remaining, but Kilkenny fought back to score two goals to secure the victory. It would be forty-five years before Kilkenny would beat Tipperary in the championship again. Further Leinster titles soon followed. In 1926, Kilkenny faced [[Cork GAA|Cork]] on a snow-covered [[Croke Park]] in the All-Ireland final. However, victory on that occasion went to 'the Rebels'.

The 1930s proved to be one of Kilkenny's most successful decades, book-ended by two of the most famous All-Ireland finals of all-time. The 1930s saw 'the Cats' battle it out with [[Limerick GAA|Limerick]] for the title of team of the decade. In 1931, Kilkenny were back as Leinster champions before squaring up to Cork in the All-Ireland final. At half-time Cork led. However, Kilkenny fought back to secure a draw. The replay saw [[Lory Meagher]] give one of his most outstanding displays on the hurling field. Once again Cork led at half-time. However, Kilkenny fought back to force a second draw. In the third game of the series Kilkenny were without the services of Meagher. On that occasion Cork secured the victory by seven points. 1932 saw Kilkenny back in the All-Ireland final. [[Clare GAA|Clare]], surprise winners in Munster, provided the opposition. In an eventful game 'the Cats' won by a goal and claimed their first championship in a decade. The following year Kilkenny were back in their third successive championship decider, this time against Limerick. Once again, the game was a close affair; however, Kilkenny won to seal back-to-back All-Ireland titles.

In 1935, Kilkenny regained their Leinster crown before lining out in the All-Ireland final. Limerick provided the opposition once again. In a close game Kilkenny beat the Munster men by a single point. 1936 saw an All-Ireland rematch between Kilkenny and Limerick. However, on this occasion Limerick had the measure of 'the Cats' and trounced them by 5–6 to 1–5. The following year Kilkenny had a chance to redeem themselves in their third consecutive championship decider. This time Tipperary were the opponent. However, Kilkenny collapsed on the day and gave Tipp a seventeen-point victory. This looked like the end for the great Kilkenny team of the 1930s. However, two years later in 1939 the team was back in the All-Ireland final. On the day that the [[World War II|Second World War]] broke out 'the Cats' took on Cork at Croke Park. Both sides were level throughout much of the game, the climax of which was played in a fierce thunderstorm. Terry Leahy was the hero for Kilkenny as he scored the winning point in the dying seconds of the game. Kilkenny were back in the championship decider again in 1940, their fifth in six years. On this occasion an ageing Limerick team faced an ageing Kilkenny team, but it was the Munster men who won.

Kilkenny were forced to withdraw from the championship in the early 1940s because of an outbreak of [[foot-and-mouth disease]] in the county. They regained the Leinster title in 1943, but [[Antrim GAA|Antrim]] pulled off the biggest hurling shock of all-time by defeating 'the Cats' in the All-Ireland semi-final. Two years later in 1945, Kilkenny faced Tipperary in the All-Ireland final. The Munster men led by a large margin at half-time; Kilkenny fought back but it was not enough to deny Tipp. In 1946, Kilkenny were back in the championship decider, this time taking on Cork. The first-half saw both sides trade the lead on several occasions. However, in the second half Cork scored five goals to deny Kilkenny for the second consecutive occasion. The Cork-Kilkenny rematch took place in the 1947 All-Ireland final, a game many{{who|date=August 2020}} describe as the greatest championship decider of all time. Cork were aiming to win a sixth All-Ireland title in seven years, while Kilkenny were hoping to avoid being the first team in history to lose three consecutive All-Ireland finals. 'The Cats' were leading for much of the game. However, Cork scored two late goals to nearly win the match. Terry Leahy scored the winning point once again for Kilkenny to give the county its thirteenth All-Ireland title.

===Lean years===
The All-Ireland victory in 1947 ushered in a lean period in Kilkenny hurling that lasted for over a decade. 1950 saw 'the Cats' win back the Leinster title. However, they were later beaten by Tipperary in the championship decider as the Munster men completed the second leg of a famous three-in-a-row. Three years later in 1953, Kilkenny were Leinster champions again. However, [[Galway GAA|Galway]] accounted for them in the All-Ireland semi-final. Four years later in 1957, Kilkenny were provincial masters once again. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw 'the Cats' take on [[Waterford GAA|Waterford]] for the first time in championship history. The men from the ''Déise'' led with fifteen minutes left in the match. However, Kilkenny fought back to win by 4–10 to 3–12.

Kilkenny retained the Leinster Cup in 1958. However, in a change to the format of the championship, they were beaten by Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final. A third consecutive Leinster title was captured in 1959. However, the All-Ireland final against Waterford ended in a draw. The replay saw a young [[Eddie Keher]] make his debut. However, victory went to Waterford. A National League victory in 1962 gave Kilkenny the impetus to recapture the provincial trophy in 1963. In the All-Ireland final, Waterford fought back from being 11-points down. However, 'the Cats' won by two points. Victory in the Leinster final in 1964 allowed Kilkenny a straight passage into the All-Ireland final where they were  favourites to retain the title. However, Tipperary hammered Kilkenny off the field with a fourteen-point victory. Two years later in 1966 Kilkenny won the National League once again. This was followed by another provincial title and an appearance in the championship decider. Once again, Kilkenny were favourites over a youthful Cork side. However, youth trumped experience as Cork emerged as the victors. 1967 saw Kilkenny win another Leinster title before lining out in their fourth All-Ireland final of the decade. An ageing Tipp team provided the opposition; however, Kilkenny got goals at vital times and secured a famous victory. It was Kilkenny's first triumph over Tipp in the championship since 1923.

===Greatest team of all time?===
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2016}}
Many supporters{{who|date=August 2016}} of Kilkenny hurling regard the Kilkenny teams from 1969 until 1975 as being the greatest of all-time{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}. That team featured such star players as [[Eddie Keher]], [[Dick O'Hara]], [[Ollie Walsh]], [[Noel Skehan]], [[Frank Cummins (Kilkenny hurler)|Frank Cummins]], [[Fan Larkin]] and [[Pat Henderson (hurler)|Pat Henderson]] to name but a few. 1969 saw Kilkenny wrest the Leinster title back from [[Wexford GAA|Wexford]] and qualify for an All-Ireland final appearance against Cork. After the surprise defeat in 1966 Kilkenny were out for revenge. The game ended in 'the Cats' favour on a score line of 2–15 to 2–9. Wexford recaptured the Leinster title in 1970. However, Kilkenny bounced back with a team that won five consecutive provincial titles between 1971 and 1975. The team also made five consecutive All-Ireland final appearances during those years, a record which stood till 2011.

In 1971, Kilkenny faced Tipperary in the championship decider. In the first final broadcast in colour by [[RTÉ]], Eddie Keher scored a record 2 goals and 11 points; however, he still ended up on the losing side as Tipp won on a score line of 5–17 to 5–14. 1972 saw the only 80-minute final between Kilkenny and Cork. Cork were in firm control in the second half and were eight points ahead. However, Kilkenny upped the ante and won the game by seven points. It was a remarkable fifteen-point turnaround in one of the all-time classic games. In 1973, Kilkenny squared up to Limerick in the championship decider for the first time since 1940. Injury, illness and emigration saw a depleted Kilkenny team take on the Munster champions and lose their status as All-Ireland champions. 1974 saw a Kilkenny-Limerick rematch. Limerick stormed into an early lead. However, 'the Cats' goal power secured a 12-point win. In 1975, Kilkenny took on a [[Galway GAA|Galway]] side that had stunned Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final. Galway led at half-time. However, the Kilkenny men fought back and secured a 12-point victory once again.

By the time the team won their next Leinster title in 1978, the great team of the early 1970s was breaking up. Kilkenny played Cork in that year's All-Ireland final. However, the Munster champions were too good for an ageing Kilkenny side and duly captured their third championship in-a-row. 1979 saw an injection of new blood into the team as Kilkenny won their seventh provincial title of the decade. The side later took on and defeated Galway in one of the least memorable finals of the decade.

===1980s and 1990s===
The early 1980s saw the great Kilkenny team of the 1970s break up as [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]] emerged as a new force in Leinster. 'The Cats' fought back in 1982 by capturing the National League and the Leinster title. [[Christy Heffernan]]'s two goals in a forty-second spell gave Kilkenny a victory over Cork in the subsequent All-Ireland final. In 1983, Kilkenny completed what they{{who|date=August 2020}} call 'the double-double' as they captured back-to-back League, Leinster and All-Ireland honours. Cork were defeated once again in the championship decider. Kilkenny's hopes of capturing the three-in-a-row were dashed in the provincial championship of 1984.

Two years later in 1986, 'the Cats' captured the National League before reclaiming the Leinster championship title from Offaly, although the team were defeated by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final. 1987 saw Kilkenny retain their Leinster crown before lining out in another All-Ireland final. An in-form Galway side defeated Kilkenny in a low-scoring encounter. The next three years saw Kilkenny once again cast out into the hurling wilderness. However, the legendary goalkeeper [[Ollie Walsh]] took over as manager at the turn of the decade. A National League title in 1990 was followed by a Leinster title and an All-Ireland final appearance in 1991. Ultimately though, like they had done so many times in the past, Tipperary defeated Kilkenny, twenty years on since their last meeting, to win the final. In 1992, Kilkenny retained their Leinster crown before lining out in the All-Ireland championship decider against Cork. The team played into a strong wind in the first-half. However, they emerged as the victors on a scoreline of 3–10 to 1–12. A third consecutive Leinster title was collected in 1993 before 'the Cats' made a third consecutive All-Ireland final appearance. On that occasion Kilkenny retained the [[Liam MacCarthy Cup]] by a margin of five points.

Offaly and [[Wexford GAA|Wexford]] reigned supreme in Leinster for the next four years. However, Kilkenny won another National League title in 1995.

===Brian Cody era===
[[Nickey Brennan]] guided the Kilkenny senior hurlers for two seasons in the mid-1990s. However, he had little success. His successor, [[Kevin Fennelly]], brought the county back to their winning ways by capturing a Leinster title in 1998<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.irishtimes.com/kilkenny-hurling/leinster-hurling-final-1998/ | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=Leinster Hurling Final 1998 | first=Keith | last=Duggan}}</ref> at the expense of Offaly GAA. Offaly later gained their revenge by defeating ‘the Cats’ in the All-Ireland final.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.irishtimes.com/kilkenny-hurling/offaly-tune-in-step-up-and-prove-an-unstoppable-force/ | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=All Ireland Hurling Final 1998 | first=Sean | last=Moran}}</ref> Fennelly, in turn, was succeeded by [[Brian Cody]], one of the most successful managers of the modern era, much of his success due to skill, organisation, work-rate and a never say die attitude.

====1999–2003====
In 1999, Cody guided Kilkenny to a second consecutive Leinster title<ref>{{dead link|date=August 2016}}{{cite news| url=http://www.irishtimes.com/kilkenny-hurling/leinster-hurling-final-1999/ | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=Leinster Hurling Final 1999 | first=Sean | last=Moran}}</ref> and a second consecutive All-Ireland final appearance. Cork GAA<ref>{{dead link|date=August 2016}}{{cite web| url=http://www.gaacork.ie/ | work=Cork GAA | title=Official Cork GAA }}</ref> provided the opposition on that occasion. However, in atrocious weather conditions, Kilkenny were denied once again.<ref>{{dead link|date=August 2016}}{{cite news| url=http://www.irishtimes.com/kilkenny-hurling/a-triumph-of-will-pushes-cork-to-ultimate-triumph/ | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=All Ireland Hurling final 1999vv | first=Sean | last=Moran}}</ref> In 2000 Kilkenny eased to another Leinster title<ref>{{dead link|date=August 2016}}{{cite news| url=http://www.irishtimes.com/kilkenny-hurling/leinster-hurling-final-2000/ | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=Leinster Hurling Final 2000 | first=Sean | last=Moran}}</ref> and a third successive All-Ireland final. The prospect of becoming the first side in history to lose three successive championship deciders was a huge motivating factor. In the end Kilkenny trounced Offaly to take the title.<ref>{{dead link|date=August 2016}}{{cite news| url=http://www.irishtimes.com/kilkenny-hurling/all-ireland-hurling-final-2000/ | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=All Ireland Hurling Final 2000 | first=Sean | last=Moran}}</ref> Another Leinster title was added to the collection in 2001<ref>{{dead link|date=August 2016}}{{cite news| url=http://www.irishtimes.com/kilkenny-hurling/leinster-hurling-final-2001/ | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=Leinster Hurling Final 2001 | first=Se┴N | last=Moran}}</ref> before ‘the Cats’ annexed a [[National Hurling League]] title in 2002.<ref>{{dead link|date=August 2016}}{{cite news| url=http://www.irishtimes.com/kilkenny-hurling/nhl-final-2002/ | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=NHL Final 2002}}</ref> As Kilkenny began to assert their dominance on the hurling world the team later captured another set of Leinster and All-Ireland titles. In 2003, Kilkenny completed what they{{who|date=August 2020}} call 'the double-double' as they captured back-to-back League, Leinster and All-Ireland honours.<ref>{{dead link|date=August 2016}}{{cite news| url=http://www.irishtimes.com/kilkenny-hurling/all-ireland-hurling-final-2003/ | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=All Ireland Hurling Final 2003}}</ref>

====2004–2005====
In 2004, Kilkenny were aiming to capture an elusive third All-Ireland title in-a-row. The plan came unstuck in the Leinster championship when Wexford brought Kilkenny's provincial championship run of success to an end.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.irishtimes.com/kilkenny-hurling/jacob-leaves-kilkenny-in-purple-haze/ | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=Jacob leaves Kilkenny in Purple haze | first=Ian | last=O'Riordan}}</ref> 'The Cats' later reached the All-Ireland final; however, Cork pounced and defeated their arch-rivals. 2005 started well with Cody's side winning National League and Leinster honours. However, their season ended with a defeat by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.

====2006–2011====
The following year Kilkenny retained their National League and Leinster titles before reaching the championship decider yet again. Cork, who were attempting to capture their own three-in-a-row, provided the opposition; however, victory went to a superior Kilkenny side. In 2007, 'the Cats' won an unprecedented ninth Leinster title from ten campaigns. They later reached the All-Ireland final where they defeated Limerick to win their thirtieth championship title. In 2008, they won the Leinster title before defeating Waterford in the All-Ireland final. This team has been called the best team ever to play the sport. Later in the year Kilkenny went on to win the [[All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship]]. Combined with the [[All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship]] title, the [[All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship]] title (which is broadly a competition for the second string county teams) and of course the senior title: this marks a quadruple. The achievement was unique and marks a high point in the dominance of hurling by Kilkenny teams. In 2009, Kilkenny's dominance was lessened and it was suggested{{by whom|date=August 2020}} that they were entering a decline. They saw off an emerging Dublin side in the Leinster final thanks to two goals from Martin Comerford.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.irishtimes.com/kilkenny-hurling/leinster-hurling-final-2009/ | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=Leinster Hurling Final 2009 | first=Tom | last=Humphries}}</ref> Nevertheless, they reached the final and after a titanic battle with old rivals Tipperary which included a controversial penalty being awarded towards the end of the game, Kilkenny secured a four-in-a-row with a five-point win over Tipperary, who mounted a formidable challenge to their crown in an absorbing final which made up for the mis-matches of the two previous years when only token resistance was presented by Limerick and Waterford. Kilkenny became the first team since Cork in the 1940s to do the four-in-a-row.

In 2010, Kilkenny defeated Galway to claim their twelfth Leinster title. They later reached the All-Ireland final where they faced the previous year's opponents Tipperary. However, it was different from 2009 as Tipperary's Lar Corbett tore through Kilkenny's full-back line with a hat trick of goals to deny Kilkenny the 5 in a row and a unique piece of hurling championship history. It was also Kilkenny's third defeat in an All-Ireland final under Cody and Kilkenny's 12th final loss to Tipperary in total.

In 2011, Kilkenny faced Tipperary for the third consecutive final. Kilkenny regained the All-Ireland title by defeating Tipperary 2–17 to 1–16.

====2012–2013====
Galway defeated Kilkenny in the [[2012 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Final]]. Kilkenny bounced back beating Limerick and winning over Tipperary by double scores 4–24 to 1–15. Kilkenny then met Galway in the All-Ireland Final, and when [[Joe Canning]] scored the last point of the game, he forced a replay (the first since 1959). However Kilkenny won the replayed All-Ireland Final on a scoreline of 3–22 to 3–11, their ninth success in thirteen championship seasons.

Kilkenny got off to a good start in 2013, winning their 17th [[National Hurling League]] title beating Tipperary in the final. In the 2013 [[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship]], Kilkenny succumbed to defeat by an improving [[Dublin GAA|Dublin]] side in the semi-final. Dublin were eventual winners in Leinster defeating Galway in the [[2013 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Final]]. Kilkenny were drawn against their fierce rivals Tipperary in the second round of the qualifiers. This game was a unique occasion as it marked the first time since the [[1937 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final]] that the two sides had met outside Croke Park in the Championship. The hot summer weather added to the electric atmosphere at [[Nowlan Park]] as Kilkenny went on to beat Tipperary. This would prove to be the highlight for Kilkenny's season as they scraped a victory over Waterford after extra time and were beaten by old foes Cork at the quarter final stage in [[Semple Stadium]]. This was the first time Kilkenny failed to make the semi-final stage since the [[1996 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]] with many{{who|date=August 2020}} signaling an end to Kilkenny's dominance.

====2014–2018====
[[File:Cillian Buckley.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Cillian Buckley]] in action in a 2015 [[National Hurling League]] game against [[Galway GAA|Galway]] in [[Pearse Stadium]]]]
Kilkenny recovered in 2014. Many had doubts over the team following a change in the guard in 2013. However, Kilkenny went on to claim the [[2014 Walsh Cup]], the [[2014 National Hurling League]], the 2014 [[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship]] and their 35th [[2014 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]]. [[Brian Cody]] became the first manager in GAA history to win 10 Senior All-Ireland titles while [[Henry Shefflin]] became the first player in GAA history to win 10 Senior All-Ireland titles. The year was topped of when [[Richie Hogan]] picked up the [[GPA Hurler of the Year]] award.

The [[2015 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2015 season]] saw Kilkenny claim both the Leinster and All-Ireland title once again. Kilkenny pulled off a fantastic second half performance in the [[2015 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final|All-Ireland Final]] to see off Galway. It was Kilkenny's 36th All-Ireland win and the 11th under manager [[Brian Cody]]. The achievement was even more significant following a number of high-profile retirements at the end of the previous season.

In [[2016 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2016]], Kilkenny were beaten by Tipperary in the All Ireland Final with a score line of 2–29 to 2-20. Tipperary scoring 2-29 (35 points) is the highest score scored against Kilkenny while Brian Cody has been in charge.

The [[2017 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2017 season]] began promising for Kilkenny by claiming the [[2017 Walsh Cup]], [[Davy Fitzgerald]]'s Wexford ended Kilkenny's participation in the National League at the quarter-final stage and when the teams met in the Leinster Championship semi final it was Wexford's first championship victory over Kilkenny since 2004. Waterford met Kilkenny in the second round of the All-Ireland Qualifiers and after a period of extra time it was Waterford who pushed on to victory. This was Waterford's first championship win over Kilkenny since the [[1959 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final|1959 All-Ireland Final Replay]].

The 2018 season began very interesting with a [[2018 Walsh Cup]] final appearance with Wexford ending in a first ever free scoring competition narrowly won by the 'Model county'. Attentions turned to the [[2018 National Hurling League|National Hurling league]] soon after and, after a shaky start, Kilkenny went from strength to strength and defeated Tipperary in a pulsating final contest by 2–23 to 2–17. The newly formed round robin Leinster Championship proved to be hugely successful and Kilkenny qualified for a meeting with rivals Galway in the [[2018 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Final|Leinster Final]]. 'The Tribesmen' got the better of 'the Cats' after a replay in [[Semple Stadium]], Thurles. The following week Kilkenny were pitted against the soon to be All-Ireland Champions Limerick in a titanic battle, with [[Eoin Murphy (Kilkenny hurler)|Eoin Murphy]] on goal keeping the Cats hopes alive with outstanding blocking skills and after a [[Richie Hogan]] goal late in the second half looked to have turned the tide for Kilkenny it was Limericks young talent who finished the game strongly on a scoreline of 0–27 to 1-22. An exciting and busy Championship 2018 ended for Kilkenny in a determined and hopeful fashion with the [[2019 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2019 season]] already promising an ever improving and interesting prospect.

====2019–2022====
Kilkenny failed to reach the knockout stages of the National Hurling League. They finished top of the Leinster Championship round robin earning them a Leinster Final spot with Wexford. They were defeated by Wexford by 1–23 to 0–23 in the final. Kilkenny then had wins over Cork and All Ireland Champions Limerick in the quarter and semi finals respectively. These results earned them an All-Ireland Final spot against great rivals Tipperary and their returning 2010 management team who went on to win the title, hammering Kilkenny on a scoreline of 3–25 to 0-20.

Kilkenny qualified for the [[2022 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final]] but lost, giving Limerick three consecutive All-Ireland SHC titles.

On the afternoon of 23 July 2022, Cody's resignation as manager was announced. He had been in the role for 24 years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/hurling/2022/0720/1311211-end-of-an-era-as-brian-cody-steps-down-from-kilkenny/|title=End of an era as Brian Cody steps down from Kilkenny|publisher=RTÉ|date=23 July 2022}}</ref>

===Post-Cody===
The Kilkenny County Board ratified [[Derek Lyng]] as Kilkenny senior hurling team manager on the night of 4 August 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kilkennygaa.ie/2022/08/statement-from-kilkenny-county-board-manager-ratification/|title=Statement from Kilkenny County Board: Manager Ratification|publisher=Kilkenny GAA|date=4 August 2022|access-date=4 August 2022|first=Paul|last=Fitzgerald}}</ref>

==Rivalries==
* [[Galway–Kilkenny hurling rivalry]]
* [[Kilkenny–Tipperary hurling rivalry]]
* [[Cork-Kilkenny hurling rivalry]]
* [[Kilkenny-Wexford hurling rivalry]]
* [[Kilkenny-Limerick hurling rivalry]]
* [[Kilkenny-Waterford hurling rivalry]]

==Current panel==
{{Update section|date=August 2022}}
<!-- PLEASE REMEMBER TO ALSO UPDATE [[Template:Kilkenny Hurling Team]] -->
{{small|Team as per Kilkenny vs [[Cork county hurling team|Cork]] in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final, 8 August 2021}}
{{GAA squad start}}
{{GAA squad player|no=1|pos=Goalkeeper|name=[[Eoin Murphy (Kilkenny hurler)|Eoin Murphy]]|club=[[Glenmore GAA|Glenmore]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=2|pos=Right corner back|name=[[Tommy Walsh (hurler, born 1998)|Tommy Walsh]]|club=[[Tullaroan GAA|Tullaroan]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=3|pos=Full back|name=[[Huw Lawlor]]|club=[[O'Loughlin Gaels GAA|O'Loughlin Gaels]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=4|pos=Left corner back|name=[[Paddy Deegan]]|club=[[O'Loughlin Gaels GAA|O'Loughlin Gaels]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=5|pos=Right half back|name=[[James Maher (hurler)|James Maher]]|club=[[St. Lachtain's GAA|St Lachtain's]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=6|pos=Centre back|name=[[Pádraig Walsh]]|club=[[Tullaroan GAA|Tullaroan]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=7|pos=Left half back|name=[[Michael Carey (hurler)|Michael Carey]]|club=[[Young Irelands GAA (Gowran)|Young Irelands]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=8|pos=Midfield|name=[[Conor Fogarty]]|club=[[Erin's Own GAA (Kilkenny)|Erin's Own]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=9|pos=Midfield|name=[[Richie Reid (hurler, born 1993)|Richie Reid]]|club=[[Ballyhale Shamrocks GAA|Ballyhale Shamrocks]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=10|pos=Right half forward|name=[[Adrian Mullen]] ([[Captain (Gaelic games)|c]])<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/adrian-mullen-kilkenny-hurling-2-5360695-Feb2021/|title=Mullen nominated as new Kilkenny senior hurling captain for 2021 season|publisher=[[The42.ie]]|date=20 February 2021|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole}}</ref>|club=[[Ballyhale Shamrocks GAA|Ballyhale Shamrocks]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=11|pos=Centre forward|name=[[John Donnelly (hurler)|John Donnelly]]|club=[[Thomastown GAA|Thomastown]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=12|pos=Left half forward|name=[[Billy Ryan (hurler)|Billy Ryan]]|club=[[Graigue-Ballycallan GAA|Graigue-Ballycallan]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=13|pos=Right corner forward|name=[[Eoin Cody]]|club=[[Ballyhale Shamrocks GAA|Ballyhale Shamrocks]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=14|pos=Full forward|name=[[T. J. Reid]]|club=[[Ballyhale Shamrocks GAA|Ballyhale Shamrocks]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=15|pos=Left corner forward|name=[[Alan Murphy (hurler)|Alan Murphy]]|club=[[Glenmore GAA|Glenmore]]}}
{{GAA squad mid}}
{{GAA squad player|no=16|pos=Substitute|name=[[Darren Brennan]]|club=[[St. Lachtain's GAA|St Lachtain's]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=17|pos=Substitute|name=[[Joey Holden]]|club=[[Ballyhale Shamrocks GAA|Ballyhale Shamrocks]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=18|pos=Substitute|name=[[Ciarán Wallace]]|club=[[Erin's Own GAA (Kilkenny)|Erin's Own]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=19|pos=Substitute|name=[[Conor Delaney (hurler)|Conor Delaney]]|club=[[Erin's Own GAA (Kilkenny)|Erin's Own]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=20|pos=Substitute|name=[[Darragh Corcoran]]|club=[[Ballyhale Shamrocks GAA|Ballyhale Shamrocks]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=21|pos=Substitute|name=[[Cillian Buckley]]|club=[[Dicksboro GAA|Dicksboro]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=22|pos=Substitute|name=[[Martin Keoghan]]|club=[[Tullaroan GAA|Tullaroan]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=23|pos=Substitute|name=[[Walter Walsh (hurler)|Walter Walsh]]|club=[[Tullogher-Rosbercon GAA|Tullogher-Rosbercon]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=24|pos=Substitute|name=[[James Bergin (hurler)|James Bergin]]|club=[[Conahy Shamrocks GAA|Conahy Shamrocks]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=25|pos=Substitute|name=[[Richie Hogan]]|club=[[Danesfort CLG|Danesfort]]}}
{{GAA squad player|no=26|pos=Substitute|name=[[Liam Blanchfield]]|club=[[Bennettsbridge GAA|Bennettsbridge]]}}
{{GAA squad end}}
<sup>INJ</sup> Player has had an injury which has affected recent involvement with the county team.<br>
<sup>RET</sup> Player has since retired from the county team.<br>
<sup>WD</sup> Player has since withdrawn from the county team due to a non-injury issue.

----
;2022 New Kilkenny Players
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
;Goalkeepers
*Liam Dunphy Lisdowney

;Defenders/Midfielders
*[[Mikey Butler]] O'Loughlin Gaels
*James Burke Thomastown
*Niall MacMahon Erin's Own
*[[David Blanchfield]] Bennettsbridge
*Conor Heary O'Loughlin Gaels
*Shane Murphy Glenmore
*[[Niall Brassil]] James Stephens
*Niall Brennan Lisdowney
*Tomás Dunne Tullaroan
{{col-3}}
;Forwards
*Colm Prenderville Graigue Ballycallan
*Emmet Landy Windgap
*Sean Morrissey Bennettsbridge
*Chris Bolger Clara
*Shane Walsh Tullaroan
*Matt Kenny Clara
*[[Cian Kenny]] James Stephens
*John Walsh Mullinavat
{{col-3}}
;Substitutes (used, non playing etc.)
*Darragh O'Keeffe Thomastown
*Aaron Brennan Lisdowney
*Eoin O'Shea O'Loughlin Gaels
*Stephen Donnelly Thomastown
*Robbie Buckley O'Loughlin Gaels
*Evan Cody Dicksboro
*Tadhg O'Dwyer James Stephens
{{small|Team as per Kilkenny vs [[Dublin county hurling team|Dublin]] in the fourth round [[2022 National Hurling League|National Hurling League]], 5 March 2022}}
{{col-end}}

----
;2023 New Kilkenny Players
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
;Goalkeepers
*Aidan Tallis Lisdowney

;Defenders/Midfielders
*Niall Rowe Dicksboro
*Niall Mullins James Stephens
*Des Dunne Danesfort
*Peter McDonald Thomastown
{{col-3}}
;Forwards
*Ian Byrne Glenmore
*Billy Drennan Galmoy
{{col-3}}
;Substitutes (used, non playing etc.)
*Pádraic Moylan Dicksboro
*Bill Sheehan Dicksboro
*Paul Cody Clara
*Daire O'Neill Danesfort
*Shane Staunton Clara
*Gearóid Dunne Tullaroan
{{col-end}}

==Current management team==
*[[Manager (Gaelic games)|Manager]]: [[Derek Lyng]] ([[Emeralds GAA|Emeralds]]), announced for a three-year term on 4 August 2022<ref>{{cite news|url=https://kilkennygaa.ie/2022/08/statement-from-kilkenny-county-board-manager-ratification/|title=Statement from Kilkenny County Board|publisher=[[Kilkenny GAA]]|date=4 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/hurling/2022/0804/1313971-derek-lyng-to-succeed-brian-cody-as-kilkenny-manager/|title=Derek Lyng succeeds Brian Cody as Kilkenny manager|publisher=RTÉ|date=4 August 2022}}</ref>
*[[Selector (sport)|Selector]]s: [[Peter Barry (hurler)|Peter Barry]] ([[James Stephens GAA|James Stephens]])<ref name=Rice_and_Barry>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/hurling/2022/0816/1316114-rice-and-barry-added-to-kilkenny-backroom-team/|title=Rice and Barry added to Kilkenny backroom team|publisher=RTÉ|date=16 August 2022}}</ref>
*Other backroom: [[Michael Rice (hurler)|Michael Rice]] ([[Carrickshock GAA|Carrickshock]]), Peter O'Donovan, [[Conor Phelan]]<ref name=Rice_and_Barry/>
*[[Strength and conditioning coach]]es: Mickey Comerford and John Murphy<ref name=Rice_and_Barry/>
<!-- FROM THE CODY ERA, SOURCE REQUIRED IF STILL INVOLVED: *Doctor: Tadhg Crowley<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hoganstand.com/Article/Index/324135|title=Cody: Players wary of Covid 'disaster' ahead of All-Ireland final|work=Hogan Stand|date=7 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/brian-cody-kilkenny-covid-5810025-Jul2022/|title=Kilkenny remaining 'massively vigilant' in lead-up to All-Ireland to avoid Covid 'disaster'|publisher=[[The42.ie]]|date=7 July 2022}}</ref> -->

==Managerial history==
{{Main|List of Kilkenny hurling managers}}
Kilkenny — like [[Cork county hurling team|Cork]] and [[Tipperary county hurling team|Tipperary]] — traditionally appoints managers from inside, rather than seeking a "foreign" appointment.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/the-import-and-export-business-28905488.html|title=The import and export business|work=Irish Independent|first=Martin|last=Breheny|authorlink=Martin Breheny|date=24 November 2012}}</ref>
<!-- SEE [[Template:Kilkenny county hurling team managers]] -->
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
!Dates
!Name
!{{Tooltip|Origin|His club}}
!Provincial titles
!National titles
|-
|1957–1978
|style="text-align: left;"|[[Tommy Maher|Fr Tommy Maher]]
|[[Castle Rovers GAA (Kilkenny)|Castle Rovers]],
[[Thomastown GAA|Thomastown]]
|14
|7
|-
| rowspan= "2"|1978–1980
|style="text-align: left;"|[[Pat Henderson (hurler)|Pat Henderson]]
|[[Fenians Johnstown GAA|Fenians, Johnstown]]
| rowspan= "2"|1
| rowspan= "2"|1
|-
|style="text-align: left;"|[[Eddie Keher]]
|<small>[[Rower-Inistioge GAA|Rower-Inistioge]]</small>
|-
|1980–1981
|style="text-align: left;"|[[Phil Larkin]]
|[[Clann na nGael (Kilkenny)|Clann na nGael]],
[[James Stephens GAA|James Stephens]]
|0
|0
|-
|1981–1987
|style="text-align: left;"|[[Pat Henderson (hurler)|Pat Henderson]] (2)
|[[Fenians Johnstown GAA|Fenians, Johnstown]] 
|3
|2
|-
|1987–1988
|style="text-align: left;"|[[Eddie Keher]] (2)
|<small>[[Rower-Inistioge GAA|Rower-Inistioge]]</small>
|0
|0
|-
|1988–1990
|style="text-align: left;"|[[Dermot Healy (hurling manager)|Dermot Healy]]
|[[Clann na nGael (Kilkenny)|Clann na nGael]], [[James Stephens GAA|James Stephens]]
|0
|0
|-
|1990–1995
|style="text-align: left;"|[[Ollie Walsh]]
|<small>[[Thomastown GAA|Thomastown]]</small>
|1991 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship,<br>1992 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship,<br>1993 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
|[[1992 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]],<br>[[1993 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]]
|-
|1995–1997
|style="text-align: left;"|[[Nickey Brennan]]
|<small>[[Conahy Shamrocks GAA|Conahy]]</small>
|0
|0
|-
|1997–1998
|style="text-align: left;"|[[Kevin Fennelly]]
|<small>[[Ballyhale Shamrocks GAA|Ballyhale]]</small>
|1998 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
|0
|-
|1998–2022<ref>[http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1998/11/16/shead.htm Cody to get Kilkenny post] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091025042538/http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1998/11/16/shead.htm |date=2009-10-25 }} ''Irish Examiner'', Retrieved on 4 November 2009</ref>
|style="text-align: left;"|[[Brian Cody]]
|<small>[[James Stephens GAA|James Stephens]]</small>
|18
|11
|-
|2022–
|style="text-align: left;"|[[Derek Lyng]]
|<small>[[Emeralds GAA|Emeralds]]</small>
|2023 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
|{{n/a}}
|-
|}

==Players==

===Notable players===
{{For|individual player details|List of Kilkenny inter-county hurlers}}
{|
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|
*[[Paddy Buggy]]
*[[Eddie Keher]]
*[[Jim Langton]]
*[[Liam 'Chunky' O'Brien]]
*[[Lory Meagher]]
*[[Jimmy Walsh (Kilkenny hurler)|Jimmy Walsh]]
*[[Paddy Phelan]]
*[[Paddy Larkin]]
*[[Ollie Walsh]]
*[[Pa Dillon]]
||
*[[Phil Larkin]]
*[[Pat Henderson (hurler)|Pat Henderson]]
*[[Ger Fennelly]]
*[[Noel Skehan]]
*[[Frank Cummins (Kilkenny hurler)|Frank Cummins]]
*[[Joe Hennessy]]
*[[Liam Fennelly]]
*[[Willie O'Connor]]
*[[D. J. Carey]]
*[[Charlie Carter]]
||
*[[Peter Barry (hurler)|Peter Barry]]
*[[Henry Shefflin]]
*[[Martin Comerford]]
*[[Noel Hickey]]
*[[Michael Kavanagh]]
*[[Eddie Brennan]]
*[[J. J. Delaney]]
*[[Derek Lyng]]
*[[Tommy Walsh (hurler, born 1983)|Tommy Walsh]]
*[[James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick]]
||
*[[Richie Power Snr]]
*[[Richie Power Jnr]]
*[[Jackie Tyrrell]]
*[[Philly Larkin]]
*[[Eoin Larkin]]
*[[John Tennyson]]
*[[Eddie O'Connor (hurler)|Eddie O'Connor]]
*[[Michael Walsh (Kilkenny hurler)|Michael Walsh]]
*[[James McGarry (hurler)|James McGarry]]
*[[P. J. Ryan (hurler, born 1977)|P. J. Ryan]]
||
*[[Aidan Fogarty (Kilkenny hurler)|Aidan Fogarty]]
*[[Brian Hogan (Kilkenny hurler)|Brian Hogan]]
*[[Michael Fennelly (hurler)|Michael Fennelly]]
*[[T. J. Reid]]
*[[Richie Hogan]]
*[[Paul Murphy (hurler)|Paul Murphy]]
*[[Colin Fennelly]]
*[[Padraig Walsh]]
|}

===Records===
*[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship records and statistics|All-time top scorer All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]] (2023-): T.J. Reid – 30–551 (641 pts)
*[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship records and statistics|All-time top scorer All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]] (2010–2021): Henry Shefflin – 27–484 (565 pts)
*Last outfield hurler to play without a helmet in All-Ireland SHC final: Michael Kavanagh in 2009<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/its-hard-to-believe-now-but-the-use-of-head-and-facial-protection-was-once-frowned-upon-36830829.html|title=It's hard to believe now but the use of head and facial protection was once frowned upon|work=Sunday Independent|date=22 April 2018}}</ref>

====Most appearances====
{{Further|All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship records and statistics#All-time appearances}}

====Top scorers====
{{Further|All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship records and statistics#All-time top scorers}}

====Most All-Ireland SHC medals====
{| class="wikitable" width="90%"
|- style="text-align:center;background:black;color:white;border:3px solid #FFC000"
| colspan="2"|[[List of All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship medal winners|<span style="color:white;">'''All-Ireland SHC winners'''</span>]]
|- style="text-align:center;background:black;color:white;border:3px solid #FFC000"
| width="110px" |Medals
| Players
|- bgcolor=
| {{center|'''10'''}}
| [[Henry Shefflin]]
|- bgcolor=
| {{center|'''9'''}}
| [[J. J. Delaney]] (1 as a sub), [[Noel Hickey]] (1 as a sub), [[Tommy Walsh (hurler, born 1983)|Tommy Walsh]] (2 as a sub), [[Jackie Tyrrell]] (2 as a sub), [[Noel Skehan]] (3 as a sub)
|- bgcolor=
| {{center|'''8'''}}
| [[Eddie Brennan]], [[Eoin Larkin]], [[Richie Power Jnr]], [[Frank Cummins (Kilkenny hurler)|Frank Cummins]] (1 as a sub), [[Michael Kavanagh]] (1 as a sub), [[Michael Fennelly (hurler)|Michael Fennelly]] (2 as a sub), [[Aidan Fogarty (Kilkenny hurler)|Aidan Fogarty]] (3 as a sub)
|- bgcolor=
| {{center|'''7'''}}
| [[Dick Doyle (Kilkenny hurler)|Dick Doyle]], [[Jack Rochford]], [[Dick Walsh]], [[Sim Walton]], [[T.J. Reid]] (1 as a sub), [[Richie Hogan]] (2 as a sub), [[Brian Hogan (Kilkenny hurler)|Brian Hogan]] (2 as a sub), [[P. J. Ryan (hurler, born 1977)|P. J. Ryan]] (4 as a sub)
|- bgcolor=
| {{center|'''6'''}}
| [[Martin Comerford]], [[Ned Doyle (hurler)|Ned Doyle]], [[Paddy Lanigan]], [[Matt Gargan]], [[Eddie Keher]], [[Jimmy Kelly (Mooncoin hurler)|Jimmy Kelly]], [[Dan Kennedy (1900s hurler)|Dan Kennedy]], [[Derek Lyng]], [[James McGarry (hurler)|James McGarry]] (1 as a sub), [[John Tennyson]] (3 as a sub), [[James Ryall]] (4 as a sub)
|- bgcolor=
| {{center|'''5'''}}
| [[D. J. Carey]], [[Dick Doherty]], [[Mick Doyle (hurler)|Mick Doyle]], [[Dick Grace (Tullaroan)|Dick Grace]], [[Pat Henderson (hurler)|Pat Henderson]], [[Jack Keoghan]], [[Phil 'Fan' Larkin]], [[Matty Power]] (1 w/ Dublin), [[Richie Mullally]] (2 as a sub), [[James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick]] (2 as a sub), [[Nickey Brennan]] (3 as a sub), [[David Herity]] (3 as a sub), [[Billy Fitzpatrick]]
|- bgcolor=
| {{center|'''4'''}}
| [[J. J. Brennan]], [[Martin Coogan (hurler)|Martin Coogan]], [[Mick Crotty]], [[Christy Heffernan]], [[Paddy Larkin]], [[Paddy Moran (hurler)|Paddy Moran]], [[Liam O'Brien (hurler)|Liam 'Chunky' O'Brien]], [[Paddy Phelan]], [[John Power (John Locke's hurler)|John Power]], [[John T. Power]], [[Jim Treacy]], [[Jimmy Walsh (Kilkenny hurler)|Jimmy Walsh]], [[Ollie Walsh]], [[Paul Murphy (hurler)|Paul Murphy]], [[Colin Fennelly]]
|-
|}

===All Stars===
{{expand section|date=June 2022}}
<!-- SEE EXAMPLE AT [[Limerick county hurling team#All Stars]] -->
Kilkenny has 198 All Stars, as of 16 November 2023.
*'''[[List of All Stars Awards winners (hurling)|Cú Chulainn Awards]]''' 22
**1963 (3), 1964 (7), 1965 (1), 1966 (4), 1967 (7)
*'''[[List of All Stars Awards winners (hurling)|GAA All Stars Awards]]''' 198
**1971 (4), 1972 (6), 1973 (7), 1974 (7), 1975 (6), 1976 (3), 1978 (3), 1979 (4), 1982 (8), 1983 (9), 1984 (2), 1985 (1), 1986 (1), 1987 (3), 1990 (1), 1991 (2), 1992 (7), 1993 (6), 1994 (1), 1995 (1), 1997 (3), 1998 (2), 1999 (4), 2000 (9), 2001 (1), 2002 (7), 2003 (8), 2004 (3), 2005 (2), 2006 (6), 2007 (6), 2008 (9), 2009 (6), 2010 (5), 2011 (8), 2012 (5), 2014 (6), 2015 (7), 2016 (4), 2018 (1), 2019 (3), 2020 (1), 2021 (1), 2022 (4), 2023 (5)

{| class="wikitable" width="90%"
|- style="text-align:center;background:black;color:white;border:3px solid #FFC000"
| colspan="2"|[[GAA All Stars Awards winners|<span style="color:white;">'''All Star winners'''</span>]]
|- style="text-align:center;background:black;color:white;border:3px solid #FFC000"
| width="110px"|Awards
| Players
|- bgcolor=
| {{center|'''11'''}}
| [[Henry Shefflin]]
|- bgcolor=
| {{center|'''9'''}}
| [[Tommy Walsh (hurler, born 1983)|Tommy Walsh]], [[D. J. Carey]], [[Eddie Keher]] (5 All Star, 4 Cú Chulainn)
|- bgcolor=
| {{center|'''7'''}}
| [[T. J. Reid]], [[J. J. Delaney]], [[Noel Skehan]]
|- bgcolor=
| {{center|'''5'''}}
| [[Joe Hennessy]], [[Ger Henderson]]
|- bgcolor=
| {{center|'''4'''}}
| [[Phil 'Fan' Larkin]], [[Liam O'Brien (hurler)|Liam 'Chunky' O'Brien]], [[Frank Cummins (Kilkenny hurler)|Frank Cummins]], [[Liam Fennelly]], [[Willie O'Connor]], [[Michael Kavanagh]], [[Eddie Brennan]], [[Jackie Tyrrell]], [[Paul Murphy (hurler)|Paul Murphy]], [[Richie Hogan]], [[Eoin Murphy (Kilkenny hurler)|Eoin Murphy]]
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" width="90%" cellpadding="5"
|- style="text-align:center;background:black;color:white;border:3px solid #FFC000"
| colspan="2"|'''Hurler of the Year winners'''
|- style="text-align:center;background:black;color:white"
| width="110px"|Award
| Players
|- bgcolor=
|{{center|[[Texaco Hurler of the Year|<span style="color:Black;">'''Texaco HOTY'''</span>]]}}
| [[Séamus Cleere]] (1963), [[Ollie Walsh]] (1967), [[Ted Carroll]] (1969), [[Eddie Keher]] (1972), [[Pat Henderson (hurler)|Pat Henderson]] (1974), [[Liam 'Chunky' O'Brien]] (1975), [[Ger Henderson]] (1979), [[Noel Skehan]] (1982), [[Frank Cummins (Kilkenny hurler)|Frank Cummins]] (1983), [[D. J. Carey]] (1993, 2000), [[Henry Shefflin]] (2002, 2006, 2012), [[J. J. Delaney]] (2003), [[Eoin Larkin]] (2008), [[Tommy Walsh (hurler, born 1983)|Tommy Walsh]] (2009), [[Michael Fennelly (hurler)|Michael Fennelly]] (2011)
|- bgcolor=
|{{center|[[All Stars Hurler of the Year|<span style="color:Black;">'''All-Stars HOTY'''</span>]]}}
|[[D. J. Carey]] – 2000, [[Henry Shefflin]] – 2002, [[J. J. Delaney]] – 2003, [[Henry Shefflin]] – 2006, [[Eoin Larkin]] – 2008, [[Tommy Walsh (hurler, born 1983)|Tommy Walsh]] – 2009,
[[Michael Fennelly (hurler)|Michael Fennelly]] - 2011, [[Henry Shefflin]] - 2012, [[Richie Hogan]] - 2014, [[T. J. Reid]] - 2015
|-
|}

==Team records==
*Most [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]] titles: 36
*Longest unbeaten Hurling Championship run: 21 games (10 June 2006 to 8 August 2010)
*Highest score in [[2008 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final|All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final]]: 3–30 (2008 v Waterford) [tied Cork 1970]
*Most [[National Hurling League]] titles: 19 [tied with Tipperary]
*Most [[All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship]] titles: 12 [tied with Cork]
*Most [[All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship]] titles: 21 [tied with Tipperary]
*Most [[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|Provincial Senior Hurling Championship]] titles: 75
*Most [[Leinster Intermediate Hurling Championship|Provincial Intermediate Hurling Championship]] titles: 17
*Most [[Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship|Provincial Under-21/Under-20 Hurling Championship]] titles: 26
*Most [[Leinster Minor Hurling Championship|Provincial Minor Hurling Championship]] titles: 59
*Most [[List of All Stars Awards winners (hurling)|GAA All Stars Awards]]: 193

==Honours==

===National===
*'''[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]]'''
**{{Gold1}} '''Winners (36):''' [[1904 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1904]], [[1905 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1905]], [[1907 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1907]], [[1909 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1909]], [[1911 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1911]], [[1912 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1912]], [[1913 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1913]], [[1922 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1922]], [[1932 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1932]], [[1933 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1933]], [[1935 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1935]], [[1939 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1939]], [[1947 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1947]], [[1957 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1957]], [[1963 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1963]], [[1967 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1967]], [[1969 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1969]], [[1972 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1972]], [[1974 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1974]], [[1975 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1975]], [[1979 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1979]], [[1982 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1982]], [[1983 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1983]], [[1992 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1992]], [[1993 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1993]], [[2000 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2000]], [[2002 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2002]], [[2003 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2003]], [[2006 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2006]], [[2007 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2007]], [[2008 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2008]], [[2009 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2009]], [[2011 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2011]], [[2012 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2012]], [[2014 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2014]], [[2015 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2015]]
**{{Silver2}} '''Runners-up (29):''' [[1893 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1893]], [[1895 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1895]], [[1897 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1897]], [[1898 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1898]], [[1916 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1916]], [[1926 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1926]], [[1931 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1931]], [[1936 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1936]], [[1937 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1937]], [[1940 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1940]], [[1945 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1945]], [[1946 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1946]], [[1950 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1950]], [[1959 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1959]], [[1964 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1964]], [[1966 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1966]], [[1971 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1971]], [[1973 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1973]], [[1978 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1978]], [[1987 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1987]], [[1991 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1991]], [[1998 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1998]], [[1999 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1999]], [[2004 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2004]], [[2010 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2010]], [[2016 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2016]], [[2019 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2019]], [[2022 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2022]], [[2023 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2023]]
*'''[[National Hurling League]]'''
**{{Gold1}} '''Winners (19):''' [[1932–33 National Hurling League|1932–33]], [[1961–62 National Hurling League|1961–62]], [[1965–66 National Hurling League|1965–66]], [[1975–76 National Hurling League|1975–76]], [[1981–82 National Hurling League|1981–82]], [[1982–83 National Hurling League|1982–83]], [[1985–86 National Hurling League|1985–86]], [[1989–90 National Hurling League|1989–90]], [[1994–95 National Hurling League|1994–95]], [[2002 National Hurling League|2002]], [[2003 National Hurling League|2003]], [[2005 National Hurling League|2005]], [[2006 National Hurling League|2006]], [[2009 National Hurling League|2009]], [[2012 National Hurling League|2012]], [[2013 National Hurling League|2013]], [[2014 National Hurling League|2014]], [[2018 National Hurling League|2018]], [[2021 National Hurling League|2021]] (shared)
**{{Silver2}} '''Runners-up (13):''' 1946–47, 1949–50, 1953–54, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1976–77, 1977–78, 2007, 2011, 2023, 2024
*'''[[All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship]]'''
**{{Gold1}} '''Winners (5):''' 1973, 2008, [[2010 All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship|2010]], [[2016 All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship|2016]], [[2017 All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship|2017]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/mccormack-hails-team-effort-as-cats-retain-title-35960257.html|title=McCormack hails team effort as Cats retain title|date=24 July 2017|work=[[Irish independent]]|access-date=24 July 2017}}</ref>
*'''[[All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship]]'''
**{{Gold1}} '''Winners (9):''' 1928, 1946, 1951, 1956, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1995
*'''[[All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship]]'''
**{{Gold1}} '''Winners (12):''' 1974, 1975, 1977, 1984, 1990, 1994, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, [[2022 All-Ireland Under-20 Hurling Championship|2022]]
*'''[[All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship]]'''
**{{Gold1}} '''Winners (21):'''1931, 1935, 1936, 1950, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2014
*'''[[All-Ireland Vocational Schools Championship]]'''
**{{Gold1}} '''Winners (8):''' 1963, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1989, 1991

===Provincial===
*'''[[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship]]'''
**{{Gold1}} '''Winners (76):''' 1888, 1893, 1895, 1897, 1898, 1900, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1907, 1909, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1916, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1939, 1940, 1943, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1950, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, [[2014 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Final|2014]], [[2015 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Final|2015]], [[2016 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Final|2016]], [[2020 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|2020]], [[2021 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|2021]], [[2022 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|2022]], [[2023 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|2023]], [[2024 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|2024]]
**{{Silver2}} '''Runners-up (31):''' 1896, 1902, 1906, 1908, 1914, 1917, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1927, 1934, 1938, 1941, 1942, 1949, 1955, 1956, 1960, 1962, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1989, 1995, 1997, [[2012 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Final|2012]], [[2018 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|2018]], [[2019 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|2019]]
*'''[[Kehoe Cup]]:'''
**{{Gold1}} '''Winners (1):''' 1980
*'''[[Walsh Cup (hurling)|Walsh Cup]]'''
**{{Gold1}} '''Winners (20):''' 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1988, 1989, 1992, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2017
*'''[[Leinster Intermediate Hurling Championship]]'''
**{{Gold1}} '''Winners (17):''' 1967, 1973, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=272971|title=Leinster IHC final: Cats crush Model|date=12 July 2017|work=[[Hogan Stand]]|access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref>
*'''[[Leinster Junior Hurling Championship]]'''
**{{Gold1}} '''Winners (25):''' 1909, 1911, 1913, 1916, 1928, 1930, 1935, 1939, 1941, 1946, 1949, 1951, 1956, 1958, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
*'''[[Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship]]'''
**{{Gold1}} '''Winners (26):''' 1968, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2017,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/eddie-brennan-leads-kilkenny-to-first-leinster-u21-crown-since-2012-as-cats-rout-wexford-35900160.html|title=Eddie Brennan leads Kilkenny to first Leinster U21 crown since 2012 as Cats rout Wexford|date=5 July 2017|work=[[Hogan Stand]]|access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref> 2019, 2022
*'''[[Leinster Minor Hurling Championship]]'''
**{{Gold1}} '''Winners (59):''' 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1939, 1942, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hoban-delights-in-revenge-after-seeing-players-ridiculed-within-own-county-274588.html|title=Hoban delights in revenge after seeing players 'ridiculed' within own county|date=7 July 2014|work=[[Irish Examiner]]|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/proud-hoban-hails-bench-as-cats-finish-with-a-flourish-340944.html|title=Proud Hoban hails bench as Cats finish with a flourish|date=6 July 2015|work=[[Irish Examiner]]|access-date=6 July 2015}}</ref> 2017,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/mullen-magic-fires-kilkenny-minors-to-victory-35887550.html|title=Mullen magic fires Kilkenny minors to victory|date=2 July 2017|work=[[Irish Independent]]|access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref> 2020, 2021

===Other===
*'''[[Players Champions Cup]]'''
**{{Gold1}} '''Winners (1):''' 2019<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/sport/494566/limerick-reach-new-york-hurling-classic-final-but-suffer-defeat-to-kilkenny.html |title=Limerick reach New York Hurling Classic final but suffer defeat to Kilkenny |website=Limerick Leader |date=16 November 2019 |access-date=16 November 2019}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{commons category}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team}}
{{Navboxes
|title       = Kilkenny squads&nbsp;– competitive victories
|bg          = black
|fg          = #FFC000
|bordercolor = #FFC000
|list1=
{{Navboxes
|title       = Kilkenny squads&nbsp;– All-Ireland Senior Hurling Champions
|bg          = black
|fg          = #FFC000
|bordercolor = #FFC000
|list1 =
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1904}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1905}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1907}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1909}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1911}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1912}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1913}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1922}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1932}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1933}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1935}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1939}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1947}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1957}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1963}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1967}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1969}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1972}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1974}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1975}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1979}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1982}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1983}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1992}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1993}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 2000}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 2002}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 2003}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 2006}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 2007}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 2008}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 2009}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 2011}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 2012}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 2014}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 2015}}
}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title       = Links to related articles
|bg          = black
|fg          = #FFC000
|bordercolor = #FFC000
|list =
{{Kilkenny GAA }}
{{County hurling teams}}
{{Liam MacCarthy Cup}}
{{GAA National Leagues}}
}}

[[Category:Kilkenny county hurling team| ]]
[[Category:County hurling teams]]