Aaron Gillane, Limerick, and Seán O'Donoghue, Cork, in Munster SHC action last year. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
Saturday May 11
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Carlow v Kilkenny, Netwatch Cullen Park, 4.30pm, GAAGO
Despite missing some key players, Kilkenny have still registered three points from their opening two fixtures.
Derek Lyng will be satisfied with how Kilkenny coped at Pearse Stadium against Galway, who did rally well in that game to earn a share of the spoils.
Martin Keoghan is in good form for Kilkenny, while Cian Kenny continues to impress for the striped outfit.
Carlow have summoned gutsy performances, but have still sufferred losses to Galway and Dublin.
Nonetheless, there has been plenty of encouraging signs for Carlow with Marty Kavanagh demonstrating his ability at the highest level.
Carlow: Brian Tracey; Paul Doyle, Dion Wall, Niall Bolger; Tony Lawlor, Kevin McDonald, Fiachra Fitzpatrick; Ciarán Whelan, Richard Coady; Jon Nolan, Chris Nolan, Martin Kavanagh; Conor Kehoe, John Michael Nolan, Paddy Boland.
Subs: Ciarán Abbey, Conor Lawlor, Jack McCullagh, Seán Joyce, Scott Treacy, James Doyle, Lorcan Doyle, Evan Kealy, Donagh Murphy, Paidí O'Shea, Ciarán Kavanagh.
Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Paddy Deegan, Shane Murphy; Cian Kenny, Richie Reid; Martin Keoghan, John Donnelly, Tom Phelan; Billy Ryan, TJ Reid, Owen Wall.
Subs: Aidan Tallis, Conor Delaney, Jordan Molloy, Darragh Corcoran, Killian Doyle, Conor Fogarty, Gearóid Dunne, Billy Drennan, Luke Hogan, Harry Shine, Liam Blanchfield.
Dublin v Antrim, Parnell Park, 4pm
This will be a vital contest in a highly competitive 2024 Leinster SHC.
Antrim's stirring comeback victory over Wexford at Corrigan Park ensures Darren Gleeson's charges head for the capital heartened.
Micheál Donoghue's Dublin outfit, though, have shown resilience in their opening fixtures against Wexford and Carlow.
In those matches Dublin finished strongly twice to draw with Wexford and eventually defeat Carlow.
Fergal Whitely's late goal was a key score in the victory over Carlow, while Eoghan O'Donnell and Danny Sutcliffe supply valuable leadership.
Antrim, with Conal Cunning sharp, and Gerard Walsh landing a gorgeous sideline cut in the Wexford success, will believe that a top three finish can be secured.
Dublin: Seán Brennan; John Bellew, Paddy Smyth, Paddy Doyle; Chris Crummey, Conor Donohoe, Eoghan O'Donnell; Mark Grogan, Conor Burke; Danny Sutcliffe, Donal Burke, Seán Currie; Fergal Whiteley, Cian O'Sullivan, Paul Crummey.
Subs: Eddie Gibbons, James Madden, Daire Gray, Seán Gallagher, Eddie Moran, Brian Hayes, Darragh Power, Dara Purcell, Ronan Hayes, Jake Malone, Colin Currie.
Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Niall O'Connor, Ryan McGarry, Paddy Burke; Gerard Walsh, Conor Boyd, Conal Bohill; Seaan Elliott, Eoghan Campbell; Nigel Elliott, Keelan Molloy, James McNaughton; Conal Cunning, Niall McKenna, Aodhan O'Brien.
Subs: Tiernan Smyth, Phelim Duffin, Rory McCloskey, Scott Walsh, Seán McKay, Fred McCurry, Paul Boyle, Christy McGarry, Rian McMullan, Joseph McLaughlin, Michael Bradley.
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Cork v Limerick, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 7pm, GAAGO
Another intriguing Munster SHC encounter looms Leeside.
For Cork, a victory must be gleaned against the standard bearers, who have made a typically smart start down south.
Limerick finished strongly to overcome Clare, and subsequently cruised to victory against Tipperary.
Pat Ryan's Cork have suffered losses to Waterford and Clare, so this match certainly can be classed in the critical category for the home team.
Cork's last championship win over Limerick was back in 2019.
Peter Casey's injury is a setback for Limerick, who once again will be looking to Aaron Gillane for scores and inspiration.
Limerick have shown an admirable ability to cope with setbacks previously and there is plenty of depth in the panel, perfectly illustrated by Adam English's four point cameo in the Tipp triumph.
At the opposite end of the field, Patrick Horgan continues to score heavily, while Alan Connolly also poses a threat.
Cork: Patrick Collins; Niall O'Leary, Eoin Downey, Seán O'Donoghue; Tim O'Mahony, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman; Ethan Twomey, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Declan Dalton, Shane Barrett, Séamus Harnedy; Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes.
Subs: Brion Saunderson, Ger Mellerick, Damien Cahalane, Eoin Roche, Tommy O'Connell, Luke Meade, Brian Roche, Conor Lehane, Seán Twomey, Jack O'Connor, Shane Kingston.
Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Seán Finn, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Kyle Hayes; Will O'Donoghue, Cian Lynch; Gearóid Hegarty, David Reidy, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Séamus Flanagan, Cathal O'Neill.
Subs: David McCarthy, Conor Boylan, Colin Coughlan, Adam English, Graeme Mulcahy, Barry Murphy, Aidan O'Connor, Fergal O'Connor, Donnacha Ó Dálaigh, Oisín O'Reilly, Mark Quinlan.