After decades of intense competitive meetings, they're still here and the on-pitch relations are still consistently frosty.
In the record standings, Kerry are marginally in front, having won 17 of the 28 competitive meetings between these sides.
But the results from their most recent encounters has sent the trend curving in Dublin's direction. Last year's All-Ireland final saw Dublin prevail in soggy conditions, and the 2011 engagement on the same day required some Stephen Cluxton composure to separate the sides. Today presents the opportunity for Dublin to win their fourth consecutive championship game against Kerry.
Following a championship campaign that consisted of some unconvincing victories, Kerry carry the underdogs badge today. While Dublin have accounted for all of their opponents with some moderate muscle flexing.
It's an iconic rivalry that long pre-dates the introduction of free kicks from the hand and today marks the addition of another exciting chapter.
Let's look back at some of the marquee moments which combined to mould their legacy.
'A goal in the greatest freak of all time'
Dublin were vying for their third successive All-Ireland triumph in 1978 and not too dissimilar to today, they were favoured to win with ease. They had built up a steady five point lead inside the opening 20 minutes but the events that followed would mark that final as one of the most famous comebacks in GAA history.
Kerry went on to in by 5-11 to 0-09 and it all started with this moment which is forever immortalised by Con Houlihan's comparison of Paddy Cullen's retreat to that of 'a woman who smelt the cake burning.'
'He's well and truly looked after now.'
In the 1975 All-Ireland final, Kerry captain Mickey Ned O'Sullivan was charging goal-ward and was in contention to sneak through for a goal, when he collided with a cluster of Dublin defenders.
He had just finished sidestepping three defenders, and absorbed a high challenge from Alan Larkin when the rest of the Dublin cover converged on him.
And the sight of O'Sullivan lying motionless on the ground was the result. When O'Sullivan later woke up in hospital, his first words were to ask if Kerry had won the All-Ireland.
Startled earwigs
The 2009 championship was an unflattering one for Dublin. Victories over Longford, Sligo and Antrim were the backdrop of their All-Ireland quarter-final meeting with Dublin and a ticket to the semis was all but assured for Dublin.
But a Colm Cooper goal - the first one conceded by Dublin in that Championship - triggered the start of an unexpected win for Kerry and prompted then Dublin boss Pat Gilroy to coin the phrase 'startled earwigs' in explaining the reason for Dublin's capitulation.
Stephen Cluxton's free
Prior to winning the All-Ireland final in 2011, the capital had not hosted Sam Maguire for the winter since 1995. But with the scores standing at 1-11 each and moments left until the final whistle, Dublin's goalscorer Kevin McManamon was fouled in a scoreable position.
Bernard Brogan immediately beckoned Stephen Cluxton forward to take the kick and the Parnells man delivered without much fuss. He later declined to indulge in the post match celebrations, seeking refuge in the dressing room to celebrate in his own reserved way.
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