Davy Fitzgerald and Brian Cody shake hands following Kilkenny's Leinster Hurling Championship win over Wexford at Nowlan Park in 2018.
Saturday June 15
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Wexford v Kilkenny, Innovate Wexford Park, 7pm
The stakes are piled high in the south east with Wexford and Kilkenny eager to earn a berth in the All Ireland series.
A Leinster Final appearance is also craved by the two teams, who should thunder into this high pressure contest.
It has been a satisfactory spell for Wexford, who recorded two draws on the road against Dublin and Galway before beating Carlow on home turf.
Conor McDonald's scores and Lee Chin's relevance were important in that Carlow triumph, but a demanding match awaits.
That will most certainly be the case as Kilkenny are reeling following a narrow reversal at Nowlan Park against Galway.
TJ Reid's enduring excellence wasn't enough to deny Galway, who chalked up a hugely impressive and important win.
There was little wrong with Kilkenny's attitude or application, but the striped outfit will hit Innovate Wexford Park eager to summon an instant response.
KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy; Paul Murphy, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; Conor Fogarty, Padraig Walsh, Paddy Deegan; Alan Murphy, Richie Leahy; Adrian Mullen, Billy Ryan, TJ Reid; Bill Sheehan, Colin Fennelly, Ger Aylward.
Conor Whelan, Galway, and Sean Moran, Dublin, during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1B clash at Pearse Stadium in February.
Dublin v Galway, Parnell Park, 7pm
Another particularly interesting encounter looms at the Donnycarney venue.
Dublin know that a victory is required against a Galway team, who delivered when it truly counted at Nowlan Park beating Kilkenny.
With Cathal Mannion rifling seven points from play Galway left Kilkenny armed with a vital victory, but Micheal Donoghue will treat the Dublin challenge carefully.
Mattie Kenny's charges were caught out by a second half Kilkenny rally, while a last gasp Sean Moran goal forced a draw with Wexford.
Similar to 2018, Dublin have been seriously competitive, but achieving a top three finish is the mission they want to accomplish.
Injuries have bothered Dublin throughout the campaign, but they still feel that a home win can be registered.
Galway's craft was evident in the triumph over Kilkenny and perhaps that vital summer ingredient - momentum - can be generated by the maroon and white brigade.
DUBLIN: Alan Nolan; Paddy Smyth, Eoghan O’Donnell, Cian Hendricken; Chris Crummey, Sean Moran, Darragh O’Connell; Sean Treacy, Tomas Connolly; Conal Keaney, Danny Sutcliffe, Cian Boland; Fergal Whitely, Ronan Hayes, Eamonn Dillon.
GALWAY: Colm Callanan; Darren Morrissey, Daithi Burke, Aidan Harte; Padraic Mannion, Gearoid McInerney, Joseph Cooney; Johnny Coen, David Burke; Cathal Mannion, Jonathan Glynn, Adrian Tuohey; Conor Whelan, Jason Flynn, Brian Concannon.
Kerry hurling manager Fintan O'Connor.
Joe McDonagh Cup
Kerry v Offaly, Austin Stack Park, 3pm
Kerry and Offaly's brief is simple: retaining Joe McDonagh Cup status.
A draw or win will be sufficient for Fintan O'Connor's charges. Offaly, under new interim manager Joachim Kelly, are aware that only victory will do.
Ultimately it means a critical match beckons for the future of the game in both counties.
Following a disappointing 2018 Offaly have endured further blows throughout the current campaign.
In a thrilling tussle Offaly's challenge was eventually fended off by Antrim ensuring that the Faithful must deliver on Saturday.
Either side of a triumph over Westmeath, Kerry endured heavy losses to Antrim and Laois so the locals will be primed for this battle.
Laois hurling manager Eddie Brennan.
Laois v Westmeath, O'Moore Park, 3pm
It has been an encouraging stint for Laois, who have already secured a berth in the Joe McDonagh Cup decider.
Returning to the Croke Park stage and earning silverware is Laois' ambition for 2019 so Brennan is content with how the campaign is unfolding.
Offaly, Antrim, and Kerry have all been outfoxed by Laois, who have made impressive progress throughout the competition.
Cha Dwyer has been prominent for Laois, who will be expecting a tough encounter against Joe Quaid's outfit.
With Killian Doyle in prolific form Westmeath are on the verge of securing a place in the decider for the second successive year.
There is real cause for optimism in Westmeath following the Allianz Hurling League Division 2A success in March, but they want to produce in the summer too.
LAOIS: Enda Rowland; Lee Cleere, Eric Killeen, Joe Phelan; Jack Kelly, Matthew Whelan, Colm Stapleton; John Lennon, Conor Phelan; Ross King, Neil Foyle, Stephen Maher; Mark Dowling, Aaron Dunphy, Stephen Bergin.
Tipperary's Willie Connors surrounded by Limerick's Gearoid Hegarty, Tom Morrissey, and Aaron Gillane during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A encounter at the Gaelic Grounds in February.
Sunday June 16
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Tipperary v Limerick, Semple Stadium, 2pm
It has been a remarkable spell for Tipperary, who sit proudly on the Munster Championship table.
After the drama and defeats of 2018, Liam Sheedy's team have relished the challenges presented so far this year.
Awkward questions have been asked and answered by an in form blue and gold side, who have been in blistering form.
Brendan Maher starred against Clare, so did Noel McGrath, while John McGrath also contributed handsomely.
John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer has supplied gorgeous touches and Patrick 'Bonner' Maher is back to his brilliant best.
While Tipperary were ailing Limerick enjoyed a glorious time culminating with Declan Hannon hoisting the Liam MacCarthy Cup in August.
When Allianz Hurling League silverware followed everything appeared rosy for Limerick. Cork entered the Gaelic Grounds to take a prized scalp, but the Treaty reply has been emphatic.
Leaving the Ennis Road venue that Sunday afternoon John Kiely promised Limerick would respond. Aaron Gillane has clipped scores, Gearoid Hegarty's relevance shouldn't be underestimated, while Cian Lynch's class and skill continues to inspire.
A trip to Thurles is another hurdle Limerick will want to clear. It should be tasty.
TIPPERARY: Brian Hogan; Cathal Barrett, James Barry, Sean O'Brien; Brendan Maher, Padraic Maher, Ronan Maher; Michael Breen, Noel McGrath; Patrick Maher, John O'Dwyer, Jake Morris; John McGrath, Seamus Callanan, Jason Forde.
LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Mike Casey, Richie English; Diarmuid Byrnes, Dan Morrissey, Paddy O'Loughlin; Darragh O'Donovan, William O'Donoghue; Seamus Dowling, Kyle Hayes, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Seamus Flanagan, Peter Casey.
Patrick Horgan, Cork, and Seadna Morey, Clare, collide during the 2018 Munster SHC Final at Semple Stadium.
Clare v Cork, Cusack Park, 2pm
Thumped by Tipperary and Limerick, Clare's Championship rests on the outcome of Sunday's game at Cusack Park.
Even victory mightn't be enough as Clare also require a favourable result in Semple Stadium.
So close to reaching the All Ireland decider last year this has been a worrying couple of weeks for Clare, who won their opening fixture at Walsh Park.
Cork, though, endured a reversal of their own when losing to Tipperary, but the triumphs against Limerick and Waterford were heartening.
Luke Meade and Daniel Kearney were central, while Mark Coleman and Darragh Fitzgibbon are impressing for John Meyler's team.
Inside Alan Cadogan's return has been a real boost alongside the delightful Patrick Horgan and dynamic Aidan Walsh.
Suddenly Cork aren't short on options up front, but they will treat the Clare challenge with the utmost care and respect.
CLARE: Donal Tuohy; Patrick O'Connor, David McInerney, David Fitzgerald; Cathal Malone, Jack Browne, Conor Cleary; Shane Golden, Colm Galvin; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, Diarmuid Ryan; Shane O'Donnell, John Conlon, Podge Collins.
CORK: Anthony Nash; Sean O’Donoghue, Eoin Cadogan, Niall O’Leary; Rob Downey, Mark Ellis, Mark Coleman; Bill Cooper, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Daniel Kearney, Seamus Harnedy, Luke Meade; Alan Cadogan, Patrick Horgan, Aidan Walsh.
