Ireland captain Brian O'Driscell having a wonderful season for his country in the RBS 6 Nations (Martin Murphy/The Epoch Times)
True to form he again deflected any thought of a clean sweep after Saturday's 22-15 win over Scotland even though the Irish are now just one game away from their first grand slam since Ireland became a republic in 1948.
Asked if there was any thought of a slam, Kidney told reporters: "No, not at all. We play Wales away next week, there is a lot to play for, but we'll just enjoy today and come in on Monday."
Kidney's studied low-key approach has served Ireland well this season after the hype in recent years surrounding their golden generation of Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Geordan Murphy, Ronan O'Gara and Paul O'Connell.
Despite their promise, Ireland have got no further than three triple crowns in the opening decade of the 21st century and are still waiting for their first championship since 1985.
Kidney, a former mathematics teacher who guided Munster to the Heineken Cup crown in 2006 and 2008, took charge of Ireland in May last year after Eddie O'Sullivan resigned following a desperately disappointing World Cup.
In all his public pronouncements since the Six Nations launch on January 28th through to Saturday evening, Kidney has sought to dampen rather than heighten expectations.
Real opportunity
"It's nice when people expect because it shows a belief in our ability but I think you have to be realistic as well," he said in January. "We're a small country and we'll give it our best shot."
The Irish management would have realised, though, that 2009, with home games against France and England, represented a real opportunity.
Kidney kept faith with O'Driscoll as captain and the centre has responded with his best and most consistent form for several seasons, recapturing much of the zip and zest of his youth.
The core of the Munster pack remains, with locks O'Connell and Donncha O'Callaghan likely first choices for the Lions in South Africa this year, and Ulsterman Stephen Ferris making a real impact at blindside flanker.
Rob Kearney at fullback and Luke Fitzgerald on the wing have added pace and imagination to the backs.
Kidney knows history is within his team's grasp at the Millennium Stadium next Saturday (kickoff 1730GMT). But he still refuses to look any further ahead than the forthcoming few days.
"There's handier ones than having to go to Cardiff and beat Wales," he said. "I'll be accused of mind games, but they are grand slam champions, they're playing at home, they're playing for the championship, they're playing for the triple crown and they rested most of their players this week. Anything else?"
