Pat Ryan and John Kiely shake hands following Cork's 2024 All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final win over Limerick at Croke Park. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Saturday, May 17
Leinster SHC, Round 4
Galway v Antrim, Pearse Stadium, Salthill, 2.30pm, GAA+
After a poor start to the round robin campaign, losing to Kilkenny, things are looking up again for Galway. They're fresh off back-to-back wins over Offaly and Wexford and will have home advantage in Salthill for Antrim's visit.
Galway are currently in third position in the Leinster table, two points behind joint-leaders Kilkenny and Dublin, and will be targeting two more wins, over Antrim first and then Dublin, to lock down a Leinster final place.
Cathal Mannion continued his stunning form against Wexford, shooting 0-17, and he is retained in Micheal Donoghue's lineup. There are five changes overall to the team though with Joshua Ryan drafted in at the back for his Championship debut.
Sean Linnane, Ronan Glennon, Conor Cooney and Anthony Burns have been named to start too.
Antrim will chase a strong performance and a first win of the campaign following defeats to Wexford, Kilkenny and Dublin.
Cormac McKeown came on against the Dubs last weekend and has been retained by manager Davy Fitzgerald in the lineup for this one, replacing James McNaughton.
GALWAY: Darach Fahy; Joshua Ryan, Fintan Burke, Darren Morrissey; Sean Linnane, Gavin Lee, TJ Brennan; Cianan Fahy, Ronan Glennon; Tom Monaghan, Cathal Mannion, Conor Cooney; Conor Whelan, Brian Concannon, Anthony Burns. Subs: Eanna Murphy, Jack Grealish, Cillian Whelan, Shane Cooney, Michael Garvey, Dan Loftus, Evan Niland, John Cooney, Jason Flynn, Donal O'Shea, Kevin Cooney.
ANTRIM: Ryan Elliott; Stephen Rooney, Niall O'Connor, Paddy Burke; Joe Maskey, Conor Boyd, Conall Bohill; Gerard Walsh, Eoghan Campbell; Ryan McCambridge, Nigel Elliott, Scott Walsh; Cormac McKeown, Eoin O'Neill, Joseph McLaughlin. Subs: Ruairi McCormick, Eoin McFerran, Declan McCloskey, Sean McKay, Ryan McGarry, Rory McCloksey, Paul Boyle, Aodhan McGarry, Fred McCurry, Niall McGarrll, Jack McCloskey.
Wexford v Offaly, Chadwicks Wexford Park, Wexford, 5pm
It's been a frustrating few weeks for both of these teams.
Wexford's hopes of a top-three finish were hit by defeats to Dublin and then Galway while Offaly have yet to pick up a point since returning to the Leinster SHC.
Both will view this one as a must win encounter and, more importantly, as a game they are more than capable of winning.
Wexford manager Keith Rossiter has resisted the temptation to start the fit again Conor McDonald, keeping the talented attacker on the bench.
Rossiter has made team changes though, drafting in Cian Molloy at the back and Cian Byrne, a goalscorer as a sub against Galway, in the full-forward line.
Offaly conceded 4-25 to Kilkenny last weekend and were heavily beaten though Johnny Kelly has kept faith with the same starting team, giving them the opportunity to bounce back with a badly needed win.
WEXFORD: Mark Fanning; Cian Molloy, Liam Ryan, Simon Donohoe; Conor Foley, Damien Reck, Eoin Ryan; Conor Hearne, Cathal Dunbar; Jack O'Connor, Lee Chin, Kevin Foley; Seamus Casey, Rory O'Connor, Cian Byrne. Subs: Andrew Kennedy, Charlie McGuckin, Niall Murphy, Darragh Carley, Conor McDonald, Shane Reck, Jack Redmond, Corey Byrne Dunbar, Mikie Dwyer, Darren Codd, Tomas Kinsella.
OFFALY: Mark Troy; Ben Conneely, Ciaran Burke, James Mahon; Ross Ravenhill, Donal Shirley, Jason Sampson; Cathal King, Colin Spain; Killian Sampson, Daniel Bourke, Oisin Kelly; Dan Ravenhill, Charlie Mitchell, Brian Duignan. Subs: Liam Hoare, Sam Bourke, Eoghan Cahill, Brecon Kavanagh, Jack Clancy, Eoin Burke, Padraig Cantwell, David King, DJ McLoughlin, Ben Miller, David Nally.
Joe McDonagh Cup, Round 4
Down v Kerry, McKenna Park, Ballycran, 2pm
This is a massive game for both teams with Down currently in the relegation position after three defeats and Kerry keen to stay above them.
As things stand, Kerry and Westmeath are locked on two points each, above winless Down, so the stakes are high.
Following heavy defeats to Carlow and Laois, Down were more competitive against Westmeath last week and will hope to continue that upward trajectory.
Kerry will feel Down's pain having suffered back-to-back defeats to Carlow and Laois also.
Eric Leen, Killian Hayes and Niall Mulcahy come into the Kingdom's lineup for the Ballycran encounter. The promising Luke Crowley is unavailable due to exams. Padraig Boyle and Darragh Conway are back on the bench after injury. Caolan Taggart and Chris Egan are in for Down.
DOWN: Stephen Keith; Matt Conlan, Tom Murray, John McManus; Ruairi McCrickard, Caolan Taggart, Liam Savage; Donal Hughes, Phelim Savage; Chris Egan, Finn Turpin, Eoghan Sands; Paul Sheehan, Daithi Sands, Pearse Og McCrickard. Subs: Cahal Lavery, Niall McFarland, Ben Taggert, Tim Prenter, Shea Pucci, Gerard Hughes, Conor Cassidy, Ben Christie, Michael Dorrian, Jordan Murphy, Owen McDermott.
KERRY: Louis Dee; Eric Leen, Flor McCarthy, Dara Kearney; Darragh Shanahan, Kevin Goulding, Ronan Walsh; Paudie O'Connor, Kyle O'Connor; Tom Doyle, Daniel Casey, Killian Hayes; Niall Mulcahy, Shane Nolan, Rory Mahony. Subs: Diarmuid Quirke, Sean McGrath, Adam Segal, Luke Rochford, Seamie Foran, Jeremy McKenna, Tomas Godley, Padraig Boyle, Darragh Conway, Oisin Maunsell, Daithi Griffin.
Westmeath v Carlow, TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, 4pm
David Williams isn't available but Westmeath have a strong replacement up front in the shape of Killian Doyle.
That's the only change to the team that accounted for Down with 10 points to spare last time out. Williams was red carded against Down.
Carlow are currently second in the table but only two points ahead of Westmeath so a win for the hosts would make the title race even more interesting.
Westmeath will be keen to add to Carlow's difficulties on the back of the Barrowsiders' surprise loss last weekend to Kildare. Prior to that, Carlow had hit Down for 6-23 and put 3-27 on the board against Kerry.
Into the Carlow team for this comes corner-back Niall Bolger and attacker Donagh Murphy.
WESTMEATH: Ciaran O'Brien; Conor Gaffney, Tommy Doyle, Gary Greville; Eoin Keyes, Robbie Greville, David Hickey; Davy Glennon, Eamon Cunneen; David O'Reilly, Darragh McCormack, Mark Cunningham; Peter Clarke, Niall O'Brien, Killian Doyle. Subs: Jack Gillen, Joseph Boyle, Robbie Coyne, Aaron Craig, Matthew Cunningham, Sean Dowd, Adam Ennis, Oisin Loughlin, Rory Keyes, Niall Mitchell, Kevin Regan.
CARLOW: Brian Tracey; Paul Doyle, Dion Wall, Niall Bolger; Evan Kealy, Kevin McDonald, Jack McCullagh; Ciaran Whelan, Fiachra Fitzpatrick; Jon Nolan, James Doyle, Donagh Murphy; Chris Nolan, Martin Kavanagh, Paddy Boland. Subs: Andrew Townsend, Lorcan Doyle, John Michael Nolan, Jack Treacy, Conor Kehoe, Sean Joyce, Richard Coady, John Doyle, Ted Joyce, Fiach O Toole, Tony Lawlor.
TJ Reid will be in Leinster SHC action for Kilkenny again on Sunday.
Sunday, May 18
Leinster SHC, Round 4
Kilkenny v Dublin, UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, 3pm, GAA+
Hosts Kilkenny and visiting Dublin will lay their perfect records on the line after both winning their first three games.
Dublin have taken care of Offaly, Wexford and Antrim so far but their two biggest challenges in the round robin - away to Kilkenny and at home to Galway - face them now.
There is lots to be optimistic about for new Dublin manager Niall O Ceallachain who has been getting a sweet tune from his team. They look slick and focused every time they play and O Ceallachain's Na Fianna clubmate Conor McHugh, a four-time All-Ireland SFC medallist, is named again in defence.
Defender Andy Dunphy is replaced by Paddy Dunleavy while there is one other change to the Dubs lineup with Colin Currie coming in for Ronan Hayes at corner-forward.
The two Conors, Burke and Donohoe, have been excellent for Dublin at midfield and that's an area they can trouble Kilkenny in.
A win would all but secure Kilkenny's Leinster final place and manager Derek Lyng has opted to include Richie Reid in defence, Tommy Walsh dropping down to the bench.
KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Paddy Deegan; David Blanchfield, Richie Reid, Mikey Carey; Cian Kenny, Jordan Molloy; John Donnelly, Billy Ryan, Stephen Donnelly; Adrian Mullen, TJ Reid, Martin Keoghan. Subs: Aidan Tallis, Tommy Walsh, Padraic Moylan, Zach Bay Hammond, Killian Doyle, Fionan Mackessy, Luke Hogan, Luke Connellan, Owen Wall, Billy Drennan, Gearoid Dunne.
DUBLIN: Eddie Gibbons; John Bellew, Paddy Smyth, Conor McHugh; Paddy Doyle, Chris Crummey, Paddy Dunleavy; Conor Burke, Conor Donohoe; Brian Hayes, Cian O'Sullivan, Darragh Power; Sean Currie, John Hetherton, Colin Currie. Subs: Sean Brennan, Daire Gray, Ronan Hayes, Andrew Jamieson-Murphy, David Lucey, James Madden, Riain McBride, Diarmaid O Dulaing, Iain O hEithir, Conal O Riain, Fergal Whitely.
Munster SHC, Round 4
Tipperary v Waterford, FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles, 2pm, RTE
Is this to be the season that Waterford finally emerge from the Munster round robin to take their place in the All-Ireland SHC series?
Peter Queally has certainly got his team playing an attractive brand of hurling so there's every chance, although this is a crucial game for them. Consistency is key for Waterford who beat Clare and then put in a decent display against Limerick.
They will be desperate to keep the foot down and have brought in Gavin Fives and Mikey Kiely in an effort to find the perfect setup.
Former Waterford manager Liam Cahill is in charge of Tipperary these days and after their rollicking Round 3 win over Clare last weekend, will demand more of the same from his crew.
This, crucially, is Tipp's last round robin game and they will feel that they simply must win to lock down at least a top-three finish.
Cahill has recalled Willie Connors back to his team at midfield, replacing the injured Alan Tynan. Darragh McCarthy is back after suspension but is listed among the substitutes and the young attacker is a huge option if things aren't clicking up front.
TIPPERARY: Rhys Shelly; Robert Doyle, Eoghan Connolly, Michael Breen; Sam O'Farrell, Ronan Maher, Bryan O'Mara; Willie Connors, Craig Morgan; Conor Stakelum, Andrew Ormond, Noel McGrath; Jake Morris, John McGrath, Jason Forde. Subs: Barry Hogan, Joe Caesar, Sean Kenneally, Seamus Kennedy, Darragh McCarthy, Peter McGarry, Brian McGrath, Oisin O'Donoghue, Johnny Ryan, Darragh Stakelum, Billy Seymour.
WATERFORD: Billy Nolan; Ian Kenny, Conor Prunty, Iarlaith Daly; Mark Fitzgerald, Tadhg de Burca, Gavin Fives; Paddy Leavey, Darragh Lyons; Stephen Bennett, Kevin Mahony, Jamie Barron; Jack Prendergast, Mikey Kiely, Dessie Hutchinson. Subs: Shaun O'Brien, Patrick Curran, Shane Bennett, Tom Barron, Patrick Fitzgerald, Conor Sheahan, Sean Walsh, Austin Gleeson, Kieran Bennett, Padraig Fitzgerald, Reuben Halloran.
Limerick v Cork, TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, 4pm, RTE
It's not always been easy for Limerick teams to generate motivation over the years as they won game after game, year after year.
But the Shannonsiders won't lack urgency for this sell-out encounter in front of their home fans.
Cork beat Limerick twice in last year's championship, on a famous evening on Leeside first of all and then again at Croke Park, and some would even have them favourites for this game.
That's a measure of just how well Cork are playing with Pat Ryan's side underlining their craft, power and impressive squad depth last time out against Tipperary.
Shane Barrett was suspended for Cork's big Round 2 win over Tipp but comes back into the team in place of veteran performer Seamus Harnedy who is named among the subs.
Limerick are unchanged but are significantly boosted by the return to the bench of Declan Hannon, Barry Murphy and Peter Casey.
LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey, Michael Casey; Diarmaid Byrnes, Kyle Hayes, Barry Nash; Adam English, Will O'Donoghue; Gearoid Hegarty, Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Shane O'Brien, David Reidy. Subs: Shane Dowling, Peter Casey, Colin Coughlan, Seamus Flanagan, Declan Hannon, Barry Murphy, Aidan O'Connor, Fergal O'Connor, Darragh O'Donovan, Paddy O'Donovan, Cathal O'Neill.
CORK: Patrick Collins; Niall O'Leary, Eoin Downey, Sean O'Donoghue; Ciaran Joyce, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman; Tim O'Mahony, Ethan Twomey; Declan Dalton, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Shane Barrett; Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes. Subs: Brion Saunderson, Damien Cahalane, Ger Millerick, Cormac O'Brien, Tommy O'Connell, Luke Meade, Brian Roche, Diarmuid Healy, Seamus Harnedy, Robbie O'Flynn, Shane Kingston.
Joe McDonagh Cup, Round 4
Laois v Kildare, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise, 3pm
Fresh off his remarkable five goals in the Round 3 win over Kerry, James Duggan will lead the Laois line again.
Laois, beaten in last year's final by Offaly, look like a team on a mission this summer as they've scored three huge wins, racking up 14 goals in the process.
It's an intimidating task for Kildare, particularly as Laois are at home, though the Lilywhites should have plenty of confidence after taking down Carlow last weekend.
Unsurprisingly, Kildare have stuck with the same team that beat Carlow to leave them right in the hunt for a top-two position themselves.
Aaron Dunphy scored seven points as a sub last time out against Kerry but Laois have opted to hold him in reserve again, showing faith in the same starting lineup.
LAOIS: Cathal Dunne; Padraic Dunne, Diarmaid Conway, Cody Comerford; Tom Cuddy, Padraig Delaney, Ryan Mullaney; Fiachra C Fennell, David Dooley; Aidan Corby, Tomas Keyes, Paddy Purcell; James Duggan, Jer Quinlan, Ben Conroy. Subs: Eoin Fleming, Donnacha Hartnett, Lee Cleere, John Lennon, James Keyes, Eanna Lyons, Martin Phelan, Mark Dowling, Willie Dunphy, Charles Dwyer, Aaron Dunphy.
KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Richy Hogan, Rian Boran, Daniel O'Meara; Daire Guerin, Simon Leacy, Cian Boran; Paul Dolan, Jack Travers; James Burke, Cathal McCabe, Jack Sheridan; Gerry Keegan, Cathal Dowling, David Qualter. Subs: Mark Doyle, Darragh Melville, Harry Carroll, Liam O'Reilly, James Dolan, Jack Higgins, Muiris Curtin, Killian Harrington, Conn Kehoe, Cormac Byrne, Oisin Lynam.
