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Limerick have held the upper hand in recent times [Getty Images]
When the great rivalries in hurling are considered, Galway v Limerick is not one that immediately springs to mind, yet it is a fixture that has delivered some seminal moments for the respective counties.
In terms of their greater standing, both lag behind the sport's traditional 'big three' of Kilkenny, Cork and Tipperary who have won 95 titles between them as Limerick stand on 12 with Galway champions on five occasions.
Still, both are regarded as major powers when it comes to the caman code, and as they prepare for Sunday's All-Ireland final at Croke Park, there is a sense we may be in for another significant chapter in this story.
To know where we are going, we must remember where we have been in the Galway-Limerick story.
The Munster county held the upper hand in the early 20th century during a time when they won the first three of the county's titles, but it would change in a delayed final of 1923 as Galway got their hands on the Liam MacCarthy Cup for the first time.
Limerick would regain control during one of their great eras as Mick Mackey helped propel them to three titles between 1934 and 1940, and they would account for the Tribesmen in two of those semi-finals.
Geography played a part in the sporadic meetings, but Galway's brief, and fairly unsuccessful 10-year spell in the Munster Championship from 1959 to 1969 with just one win from 12 outings, saw them fall twice to the Treaty County.
Yet things would begin to gather pace.
'The West's Awake'
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Joe Connolly's acceptance speech after Galway's win in the 1980 final is remembered as one of the GAA's great moments [BBC Sport]
It's a moment seeped into GAA folklore.
The 1980 All-Ireland final saw a Galway side arrive at Croke Park determined to make up for final defeats in 1975 and '79.
It had been 57 years since their one and only All-Ireland title and on an emotional day at Croke Park, Cyril Farrell's men finally ended the long wait.
Led by team captain Joe Connolly, the Tribesmen got off to a flying start but an Éamonn Cregan-inspired Limerick would rally, but not enough as Galway claimed a 2-15 to 3-9 win.
However, it's perhaps not the game itself that is so fondly remembered, but Connolly's heartfelt acceptance speech, conducted mostly in Irish, culminating with the Castlegar man proclaiming: "People of Galway, we love you!", followed by a rendition of 'The West's Awake'.
It was a day in which Galway hurling turned a corner as they would account for Limerick in the following year's semi-final after a replay, only to fall to Offaly who won their maiden title, but Liam MacCarthy would return to the banks of the Corrib in 1987 and 1988.
While Galway won a thriller between the counties in a 2005 All-Ireland qualifier, Limerick would regain control of the fixture when they would meet again.
Limerick's 'Dreams' come true
By 2018, Galway were celebrating their fifth title from the previous year as Kilkenny's victory over them in 2015's final marked the end of a glorious run of success for Brian Cody's side.
Tipperary had won their second title of the decade in 2016, but there was a sense this was now Galway's time to push on and dominate the landscape.
With Joe Canning leading the way, the defensive steel of Daithi Burke and Gearoid McInerney, drive from David Burke at midfield and the scoring power of Joseph Cooney, Conor Cooney and Conor Whelan, Micheal Donoghue's side were tipped for back-to-back titles.
However, Limerick were building steadily under John Kiely with a young crop and Na Piarsaigh, the king of All-Ireland clubs.
Following thrilling wins over Kilkenny and Cork, they arrived for All-Ireland final day with a different outlook.
Just like Galway in 1980, the Shannonsiders had their own long wait to contend with as 45 years has passed since their previous title.
There was heartache along the way: losing the 'five-minute final' against Offaly in 1994 as goals from Johnny Dooley and Pat O'Connor in the space of 60 seconds contributed to a six-point defeat having led by five with as many minutes to go; again in '96 against 14-man Wexford and out-classed by Kilkenny in 2007.
Limerick put all of that behind them, but naturally, it couldn't be straightforward as after Shane Dowling netted their third goal in the 68th minute to open an eight-point gap, Galway hit back with goals from Whelan and Canning.
It couldn't happen again, could it?
With the clock deep in the red and one point the gap, Canning's long-range free from his own half for an equaliser dropped short. Limerick survived on a day when Cian Lynch, Kyle Hayes, Gearoid Hegarty, Diarmaid Byrnes and Aaron Gillane fully arrived, led by nerves of steel skipper Declan Hannon.
The monkey was now off their back.
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Limerick bridged a 45-year gap in 2018 [Getty Images]
Earlier that year, Limerick had been rocked by the passing of its favourite daughter, Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan.
As the band's hit 'Dreams' rang out over the Croke Park tannoy, it was as poignant as joyous.
Hannon led a lap of honour in the company of Liam, the emotion of it all intoxicating as Limerick's tears of joy flowed.
It would prove to the springboard for a Limerick dynasty as they won four-in-a-row between 2020 and 2023, beating Galway in three semi-finals along the way.
The Tribesmen got close on occasion, but not close enough, yet here they are, back in a final for the first time since 2018.
Then, it was the young pretenders in Limerick who pushed through the glass ceiling and while new stars have emerged in the form of Aidan O'Connor and Galway retain five survivors from 2017, a new crop is emerging in the form of Jason Rabbitte, Aaron Nilland, Rory Burke and Cillain Trayers.
Will this Sunday see the recent established order in Limerick claim one more title, or are Galway ready to turn the fixture back in their favour?
In the history of hurling, Galway v Limerick has given us plenty of enduring memories and come Sunday evening, we may be reflecting on another.
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