Sunday June 17

Munster Senior Hurling Championship

Waterford v Cork, Semple Stadium, 2pm

Injuries and defeats have conspired to make this a difficult Championship for Waterford, who contested last year's All Ireland Final.

So near, but yet so far from the ultimate honour Waterford have been most unfortunate this summer and their summer ends on Sunday.

Cork, though, know a victory will steer them back into a Munster Final which is precisely where John Meyler's team want to be.

The importance of the opening weekend success over Clare shouldn't be underestimated as Cork have subsequently drawn with Tipperary and Limerick.

There were flickers of Cork's class in both those matches, but the crucial fact is that the Leesiders accumulated points in every game they've played.

For that reason alone Cork will head into the All Ireland series regardless of what occurs in Thurles on Sunday.

CORK: Anthony Nash; Sean O'Donoghue, Damien Cahalane, Colm Spillane; Christopher Joyce, Eoin Cadogan, Mark Coleman; Darragh Fitzgibbon, Bill Cooper; Luke Meade, Conor Lehane, Daniel Kearney; Shane Kingston, Seamus Harnedy, Patrick Horgan.

Clare v Limerick, Cusack Park, 2pm

A sold out Cusack Park provides the ideal backdrop for this eagerly anticipated clash of neighbours.

That a Munster Final place is the prize for the winners merely adds to the drama and Limerick could even qualify regardless of the result if Waterford overcome Cork in Thurles.

Tipperary and Waterford are out of the reckoning, but two of the other three teams can still reach the southern showpiece.

Clare's daring, Peter Duggan inspired, rally at Semple Stadium has added belief and momentum to a panel that isn't short on talent.

Making another statement against a rapidly developing Limerick team is what Clare intend to do, but the Treatymen have impressed thus far.

Wins over Tipperary and Waterford sandwiched either side of a battling draw with Cork suggests John Kiely is stitching a formidable outfit together.

CLARE: Donal Tuohy; Patrick O'Connor, Conor Cleary, Jack Browne; Seadna Morey, David McInerney, Jamie Shanahan; Colm Galvin, Cathal Malone; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, David Reidy; Podge Collins, John Conlon, Shane O'Donnell.

LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Mike Casey, Richie English; Diarmuid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Dan Morrissey; Darragh O'Donovan, Cian Lynch; Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes, Tom Morrissey; Seamus Flanagan, Shane Dowling, Graeme Mulcahy.