After facing a shock, last-minute 2–15 to 1–16 defeat by Wexford in the Leinster semi-final in 2004, Kilkenny worked their way through the qualifiers and lined out against Cork in the All-Ireland decider on 12 September 2004.
Following a surprising loss to Wexford in the 2004 Leinster semi-finals, Kilkenny demonstrated their resilience by advancing through the playoffs and ultimately facing Cork in the championship game on September 12, 2004.