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Hurling

hurling

Preview: Allianz Hurling League semi-finals

Davy Fitzgerald and Brian Cody.

Davy Fitzgerald and Brian Cody.

Saturday March 31

Allianz Hurling League Semi-Final

Tipperary v Limerick, Semple Stadium, Thurles, 7pm

May 20 is a date etched into Tipperary and Limerick minds so this match in Thurles promises to be an interesting dress rehearsal.

Limerick have stitched a six match winning sequence together and hit the hallowed Semple Stadium turf armed with real momentum.

Last Sunday Tipperary did enough to survive a shaky start against Dublin before prevailing with plenty to spare as John McGrath struck 1-4 from play.

Jason Forde has delivered effectively throughout the spring in the blue and gold with manager Michael Ryan content as Tipperary continue their pre Munster Championship audition process.

Having won two of the past three All Ireland Under 21 titles, there is no shortage of talent in Limerick and John Kiely’s team are beginning to deliver on the senior stage. Tipperary remain a prized scalp and similar to the Clare clash this could go the distance.

TIPPERARY: Daragh Mooney; Alan Flynn, James Barry, Michael Cahill; Barry Heffernan, Padraic Maher, Tomas Hamill; Seamus Kennedy, Ronan Maher; Sean Curran, Billy McCarthy, John McGrath; Michael Breen, Jason Forde, Willie Connors.

LIMERICK: Nicky Quaid; Sean Finn, Seamus Hickey, Richie English; Diarmuid Byrnes, Declan Hannin, Dan Morrissey; Colin Ryan, Cian Lynch; Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Seamus Flanagan, Barry Murphy.

Sunday April 1

Allianz Hurling League Semi-Final

Wexford v Kilkenny, Innovate Wexford Park, 2pm

A proper rivalry has been restored with Sunday’s much anticipated encounter in the south east sure to supply some good pointers.

Wexford’s emerging collection of youngsters produced when it truly mattered against Galway last Saturday and they enter this match loaded with confidence.

Kilkenny were seriously tested by Offaly, but TJ Reid and Walter Walsh had the guile to nudge Brian Cody’s team into the penultimate round of the competition.

Wexford have made significant progress under Davy Fitzgerald’s watch and reaching a national decider would represent a massive achievement.

Kilkenny, though, know that spring silverware is a distinct possibility also and a competitive Bord Na Mona Walsh Cup tussle highlighted Wexford’s character following their 2017 exploits.

KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy; Joey Holden, Padraig Walsh, Paddy Deegan; Conor Delaney, Cillian Buckley, Enda Morrissey; Richie Leahy, James Maher; Martin Keoghan, TJ Reid, John Donnelly; Ger Aylward, Walter Walsh, Bill Sheehan.