Preview: Weekend's provincial hurling championship action
Davy Fitzgerald's Waterford face Liam Cahill's Tipperary in the Munster SHC on Saturday evening. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Saturday May 4
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Wexford v Galway, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 4pm, GAAGO
Following a harrowing loss in Belfast against Antrim, Wexford are fully aware of the importance of this contest.
Despite Lee Chin's brilliant display, Wexford still suffered a significant setback at Corrigan Park.
Keith Rossiter's charges must summon an instant response when Galway visit Chadwicks Wexford Park.
Galway, who had encountered plenty of bother against an understrength Kilkenny, finished strongly to divide the spoils.
Captain Conor Whelan, leading by example, rifled over a sweet last gasp point to ensure Henry Shefflin's outfit earned a draw.
Scoring six of the final eight points in that tussle confirmed Galway's grit.
Wexford haven't beaten Galway in the Championship since the 1996 All-Ireland Semi-Final.
Wexford: Mark Fanning; Shane Reck, Conor Foley, Niall Murphy; Simon Donohoe, Damien Reck, Matthew O'Hanlon; Conor Hearne, Kevin Foley; Liam Óg McGovern, Lee Chin, Cathal Dunbar; Cian Byrne, Conor McDonald, Rory O'Connor.
Subs: Aaron Duggan, Eoin Ryan, Séamus Casey, Mikie Dwyer, Darragh Carley, Richie Lawlor, Conor Devitt, Jack Doran, Tomás Kinsella, Jack O'Connor, Liam Ryan.
Galway: Darach Fahy; Jack Grealish, Daithí Burke, Fintan Burke; Gearóid McInerney, Pádraic Mannion, Cianan Fahy; Ronan Glennon, Gavin Lee; Tom Monaghan, Evan Niland, Brian Concannon; Conor Whelan, Conor Cooney, Cathal Mannion.
Subs: Eanna Murphy, Adrian Tuohey, Seán Linnane, Eoin Lawless, Donal O'Shea, David Burke, Jonathan Glynn, Joseph Cooney, John Cooney, Jason Flynn, Declan McLoughlin.
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Waterford v Tipperary, Walsh Park, 6pm, GAAGO
Another critical encounter looms in a highly competitive Munster SHC.
Buoyed up by the opening round win over Cork, Waterford will be eager to build on the solid foundation established.
Jamie Barron's dynamism and drive was a key feature in that match, while Dessie Hutchinson remains a potent attacking threat.
Tipperary endured a disappointing loss away to Limerick last weekend so Liam Cahill will be hoping for a much improved display.
There is a blend of emerging and established players in the Tipp panel, but this match in Waterford is hugely significant.
Ronan Maher and Michael Breen remain key performers for Tipp, who need to summon a win on the road.
Waterford's recent championship record against Tipperary features wins in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Waterford: Shaun O'Brien; Kieran Bennett, Conor Prunty, Iarlaith Daly; Mark Fitzgerald, Tadhg de Búrca, Calum Lyons; Jamie Barron, Darragh Lyons; Neil Montgomery, Stephen Bennett, Jack Prendergast; Dessie Hutchinson, Michael Kiely, Kevin Mahony.
Subs: Billy Nolan, Ian Kenny, Jack Fagan, Mairtín Power, Patrick Curran, Patrick Fitzgerald, Shane Bennett, Peter Hogan, Pádraig Fitzgerald, Paddy Leavey, Tom Barron.
Tipperary: Barry Hogan; Johnny Ryan, Ronan Maher, Craig Morgan; Michael Breen, Bryan O'Mara, Conor Bowe; Willie Connors, Eoghan Connolly; Alan Tynan, Gearoid O'Connor, Jason Forde; Jake Morris, Mark Kehoe, Seán Hayes.
Subs: Rhys Shelly, Cathal Barrett, Paddy Cadell, Seánie Kenneally, Patrick Maher, Dan McCormack, John McGrath, Noel McGrath, Andrew Ormond, Conor Stakelum, Darragh Stakelum.