This is generally an easy match to monitor. The counties play each other very year and there's a constant supply of references to guide the observer. Even 12 months ago, when Clare sensationally dumped Cork out of the championship, Munster's big two had had the foresight to contest the League final in May so that no one would be short of data for the year.
As a result of Kerry's exploits, the All-Ireland is on the line in Munster for the first time in seven years. That was also in Killarney and the defending champions, Cork, in pursuit of a three-in-a-row, were defeated to the astonishment of all, given their 15-point win of the previous year.
For quite a while there has been a gloomy sort of atmosphere surrounding Cork football. Their exit in the NFL quarter-finals against Donegal was so miserable as to render irrelevant any consideration of their many injured absentees. (Not that the League holds much consolation for the champions.)
The conservative view favours Kerry. They are the reigning champions and, despite reservations, found all the necessary gears last year. Paidi O Se's selection contains no radical departures.
Of the four changes from last year's All-Ireland line-up, only the demotion of Killian Burns is a voluntary alteration. It is mildly surprising in that although Tomas O Se's elevation was expected, he was being tipped to take the left wing back spot, given Eamonn Breen's long recent period of inactivity.
The other changes will have varying impacts. William Kirby's displays last year were erratic and Donal Daly will regard his selection as something of an opportunity.
There will be great interest in Dara O Cinneide's progress at centre forward. For the last two years - last year in particular - he hasn't given full vent to his potential but there is hope in Kerry that he may solve the vexed question of who will man the 40.
Maurice Fitzgerald was the single most important influence on Kerry's All-Ireland success and the chances of a successful defence depend heavily on his ability to maintain last year's form. Mark O'Connor has performed an effective marking job on Fitzgerald before but is unlikely to be able - any more than anyone else - to survive the great man at full blast.
A slimmed-down John Crowley is being tried at full forward and he will be marked by Brian Corcoran who some weeks ago made the somewhat inappropriate admission to Kieran Shannon in the Examiner that he felt he wasn't cut out to be a football full back.
If Paidi O Se feels under pressure to defend Kerry's titles in the absence of last year's coach Seamus MacGearailt, his Cork couterpart Larry Tompkins is hardly carefree. Having stepped down as manager to play at centre forward, he has raised expectations but at 35, three years after his last championship match, is this wise.
Liam Flaherty may not have the mobility to embarrass him but he has the physique to cope with Tompkins's strength. In the event of Joe Kavanagh coming out to the 40, the equation would change but overall Cork look light on scoring forwards.
Which is a pity for them as Damien O'Neill has the potential to dominate centrefield as he did in last year's NFL final and establish some sort of a supply.
Ultimately, Kerry are more settled and have the experience of success behind them. There are also too many questions about Cork's scoring ability. The champions should advance to the first final meeting with Tipperary since 1944.
Kerry: D O'Keeffe; T O Se, B O'Shea, S Stack; S Moynihan, L Flaherty, E Breen; D O Se, D Daly; P Laide, D O Cinneide, D O'Dwyer; MF Russell, J Crowley, M Fitzgerald.
Cork: M Maguire; M O'Connor, B Corcoran, E Sexton; C O'Sullivan, S O'Brien, M Cronin; D O'Neill, P Hegarty; R McCarthy, L Tompkins, D Davis; A O'Regan, J Kavanagh, A Dorgan.
