 The staging of the game in Thurles was a gesture to the cradle-town of the GAA and to the county regarded as 'the home of hurling'.Prior to the opening of the championship Kilkenny were installed as the favourites to retain the All-Ireland title for a third consecutive year.The last time they achieved this was in 1913, however, no final took place that year and Kilkenny were awarded the title as Limerick refused to play.