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Hurling

hurling

Preview: Weekend's hurling action

Eoin Murphy, Kilkenny, and Chris Crummey, Dublin, pictured at the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship launch.

Eoin Murphy, Kilkenny, and Chris Crummey, Dublin, pictured at the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship launch.

***Saturday May 12


Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

Offaly v Galway, Bord Na Mona O'Connor Park, 7pm

The reigning Leinster and All Ireland champions hit Tullamore eager to replicate the style and substance which was evident throughout 2017.

It was a seriously rewarding year for Galway packed with silverware so Micheal Donoghue's team will be hoping to demonstrate their ability against Offaly, who showed signs of improvement this spring.

Under Kevin Martin's steady stewardship Offaly secured a couple of Division 1B triumphs and troubled Kilkenny at the Quarter-Final stage.

That defiant display supplied a bit of encouragement, but Offaly will be fully aware of the threat Galway carry.

In a provincial semi-final last year Galway hit 0-33 against the Faithful County, who haven't defeated the Tribesmen in the Championship since 1994.

The counties didn't collide again until 2010 when they drew, but Galway won the replay on that occasion and claimed three convincing wins in 2012, 2016, and 2017.

OFFALY: Eoghan Cahill; Tom Spain, Sean Gardiner, Ben Conneely; Damien Egan, Pat Camon, Brendan Murphy; David King, Shane Kinsella; Joe Bergin, Conor Mahon, Oisin Kelly; Dan Currams, Colin Egan, Shane Dooley.

GALWAY: James Skehill; Adrian Tuohy, Daithi Burke, John Hanbury; Padraig Mannion, Gearoid McInerney, Aidan Harte; Johnny Coen, David Burke; Cathal Mannion, Joe Canning, Joseph Cooney; Conor Whelan, Conor Cooney, Brian Concannon.

Joe McDonagh Cup

Antrim v Carlow, Corrigan Park, 3pm

Antrim hit the goal trail when defeating Meath, while Carlow produced a storming finish to beat Kerry in the opening weekend.

Ultimately it means this match in Belfast carries huge significance, especially after competition favourites Laois lost to Westmeath.

The Saffrons, with Nigel Elliott and Conor Johnson excelling, impressed in Navan, but Carlow are worthy of the utmost respect.

Colm Bonnar's charges delivered in the closing stages to shrug off Kerry's spirited resistance and they will relish this battle.

ANTRIM: Ryan Elliott; Stephen Rooney, John Dillon, Conor McKinley; Joe Maskey, Paddy Burke, Ryan McCambridge; Eoghan Campbell, Simon McCrory; Nigel Elliott, Conor Johnston, Neil McManus; Donal McKinley, Michael Armstrong, Conor McCann.

Carlow hurling manager Colm Bonnar.

Carlow hurling manager Colm Bonnar.

Sunday May 13

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

Dublin v Kilkenny, Parnell Park, 2pm

Buoyed up by their Allianz Hurling League success Kilkenny will want to make a positive Leinster Championship start at Parnell Park.

It was a mixed spring for Dublin, who did compete well in the opening period against Tipperary at the Quarter-Final stage.

That display has been acknowledged by Brian Cody, who has also recently spoken about the return of three accomplished Cuala players to the Dublin set-up.

Kilkenny, though, have been boosted by the availability of Paul Murphy and Colin Fennelly, who were both absent due to Defence Forces commitments in the League.

With players of that calibre back involved allied to the emergence of some exciting youngsters hopes are high in Kilkenny that they can push for the ultimate honour.

DUBLIN: Alan Nolan; Paddy Smyth, Cian O'Callaghan, Bill O'Carroll; Shane Barrett, Sean Moran, Chris Crummey; Rian McBride, Eoghan O'Donnell; Jake Malone, Conal Keaney, Danny Sutcliffe; Fergal Whitely, Liam Rushe, Paul Ryan.

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; Bill Sheehan, Walter Walsh, Ger Aylward.

Joe McDonagh Cup

Westmeath v Meath, TEG Cusack Park, 1pm

Michael Ryan's Westmeath enjoyed a hugely encouraging win over Laois, but they know that Meath will present a tough test in Mullingar.

In Division 2A of the Allianz Hurling League Westmeath just about held on to record a narrow win over the Royals, who leaked 5-25 when losing to Antrim last Saturday.

That was a blow, but Meath will be intent on causing their neighbours problems this weekend. Ryan remains a shrewd operator, though, and will have Westmeath primed.

Kerry v Laois, Austin Stack Park, 3pm

Kerry and Laois both suffered opening weekend Joe McDonagh Cup losses so the respective managers, Fintan O'Connor and Eamonn Kelly, will be demanding better performances.

Laois encountered problems dealing with Westmeath's aerial ability and that will be one area in which the visitors must improve.

O'Connor's hard working Kerry contributed to a decent clash against Carlow, who produced a blistering finish to earn the spoils.

Ensuring Ross King's scoring influence is restricted is one of the chief challenges Kerry face in this critical contest.

KERRY: Martin Stackpoole; Sean Weir, John Buckley, Bryan Murphy; Brandon Barrett, Daniel Collins, Tom Murnane; Shane Nolan, Brendan O'Leary; Daithi Griffin, Mikey Boyle, Barry O'Mahony; Jack Goulding, Padraig Boyle, Shane Conway.

LAOIS: Enda Rowland; Podge Lawlor, Leigh Bergin, Lee Cleere; Ryan Mullaney, Matthew Whelan, Eric Killeen; Paddy Purcell, Cian Taylor; Cha Dwyer, Ben Conroy, Willie Dunphy; Ross King, Stephen Maher, PJ Scully.