Tommy Ryan, Waterford, and Mark Coleman, Cork, during the 2018 Munster SHC encounter at Semple Stadium.
Saturday June 8
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Cork v Waterford, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 7pm
What a difference a week made to the Cork hurlers. Toppled by Tipperary seven days later Cork summoned a daring and defiant display to defeat Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds.
Suddenly John Meyler's team started believing again and there was so much to enthuse about in that performance.
Daniel Kearney's relevance, Aidan Walsh's industry, and Seamus Harnedy's influence enabled Cork to secure a vital victory.
Waterford, though, have endured a torrid Munster Championship thus far and for the second year in a row will not advance to the national stages.
That is a most disappointing return for a team, who contested an All Ireland Final in 2017.
Clare, Tipperary, and Limerick all proved too strong for Waterford and this could be another tricky assignment for them on the banks of the Lee.
Cork know that points need to be added to the account ahead of an interesting trip to Ennis. The race for a top three finish down south should be lively.
CORK: Anthony Nash; Sean O'Donoghue, Eoin Cadogan, Niall O'Leary; Robert Downey, Mark Ellis, Mark Coleman; Bill Cooper, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Daniel Kearney, Seamus Harnedy, Luke Meade; Alan Cadogan, Patrick Horgan, Aidan Walsh.
WATERFORD: Billy Nolan; Shane McNulty, Conor Prunty, Darragh Lyons; Calum Lyons, Tadhg de Burca, Conor Gleeson; Jamie Barron, Mikey Kearney; Shane Bennett, Brian O'Halloran, Jack Prendergast; Tommy Ryan, Stephen Bennett, Peter Hogan.
Wexford forward Cathal Dunbar.
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Wexford v Carlow, Innovate Wexford Park, 7pm
Following two away draws against Dublin and Galway, Davy Fitzgerald's Wexford team now face a couple of home fixtures.
Carlow are next on the agenda before a final round match with Kilkenny, but Wexford have edged into a healthy position.
Fitzgerald felt that Wexford should have secured the full complement of spoils in Salthill with a poor conversion rate proving costly.
Still Wexford battled until the end and the draw with the 2017 All Ireland champions means they are confident entering a critical phase of the competition.
Colm Bonnar's improving Carlow outfit have competed well in their matches, but three defeats have been suffered against Galway, Kilkenny, and Dublin. Valuable lessons are being learned, though, and Carlow will be spirited in the south east.
CARLOW: Brian Tracey; Kevin McDonald, Paul Doyle, Michael Doyle; Eoin Nolan, David English, Richard Coady; Jack Kavanagh, Sean Whelan; John Michael Nolan, Martin Kavanagh, Edward Byrne; James Doyle, Ted Joyce, Chris Nolan.
Westmeath manager Joe Quaid during the Allianz Hurling League Division 2A Final at Cusack Park, Ennis.
Joe McDonagh Cup
Antrim v Westmeath, Dunloy, 2pm
A stirring win over Offaly in Tullamore ensures Antrim are very much back in the hunt for a Joe McDonagh Cup final berth.
Neal Peden's diligent work with the Saffrons was reflected when Antrim edged a thrilling tussle with Offaly.
Having impressed against Kerry, Antrim were subsequently beaten by Laois, but the response was impressive.
Keelan Molloy mined a couple of opportunistic goals, while the enduring excellence of Neil McManus was also a key factor in the triumph.
With Killian Doyle prominent, Westmeath enjoyed a convincing win over neighbours Offaly, but a defeat to Kerry was a setback.
Now Joe Quaid's outfit must deliver up north against Antrim, who are beginning to believe that a Croke Park appearance can be attained.
ANTRIM: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, John Dillon, Stephen Rooney; Matthew Donnelly, Paddy Burke, Joe Maskey; David Kearney, Nicky McKeague; Neil McManus, Ryan McCambridge, Keelan Molloy; Ciaran Clarke, Nigel Elliott, James McNaughton.
Prolific Kerry forward Shane Conway.
Kerry v Laois, Austin Stack Park, 3pm
Laois have made a quiet, but hugely satisfying start to the competition accumulating good wins over Offaly and Antrim.
Both those successes hinted at the potential within Eddie Brennan's panel which was boosted by the return to Ross King for the Joe McDonagh Cup.
Still Laois and Brennan will be fully aware that a couple of awkward assignments beckon, especially following Kerry's victory in Mullingar.
Shane Conway's prowess at this level is well documented and Fintan O'Connor will have the Kingdom ready, willing, and able to take a scalp.
A victory would put Kerry in a healthy position entering the last round.
Laois know that a third straight win would edge them closer to a much coveted return to GAA headquarters.
LAOIS: Enda Rowland; Joe Phelan, Matthew Whelan, Donncha Hartnett; Jack Kelly, Ryan Mullaney, Padraig Delaney; John Lennon, Cha Dwyer; Aaron Dunphy, Willie Dunphy, Paddy Purcell; Mark Kavanagh, Eanna Lyons, Ross King.
Padraig Walsh, Kilkenny, and Jonathan Glynn, Galway, during the 2018 Leinster SHC Final replay at Semple Stadium.
Sunday June 9
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Kilkenny v Galway, Nowlan Park, 2pm
The Leinster Championship continues to provide thrills and spills with Sunday's Nowlan Park encounter loaded with importance.
Buoyed up by wins over Dublin and Carlow, Brian Cody's developing Kilkenny team will be eager to defeat Galway, who drew with Wexford.
Injuries have disturbed Galway hugely with Joe Canning's unavailability a significant blow in the early rounds.
Galway only showed glimpses of their best in the Wexford match, but survived a tense finish to claim a division of the spoils.
Conor Whelan's three points were important, while Johnathan Glynn made some splendid fetches when introduced.
Kilkenny have dealt with their own fitness issues impressively with Cody integrating promising young performers.
Adrian Mullen is promising, while Ballyhale Shamrocks' club colleague, TJ Reid, remains a most talented talisman.
KILKENNY: Darren Brennan; 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.
GALWAY: Colm Callanan; John Hanbury, Daithí Burke, Aidan Harte; Padraic Mannion, Gearoid McInerney, Joseph Cooney; Seán Loftus, David Burke; Cathal Mannion, Jonathan Glynn, Adrian Tuohey; Conor Whelan, Jason Flynn, Brian Concannon.
Limerick manager John Kiely.
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Limerick v Clare, LIT Gaelic Grounds, 4pm
Another revealing match is imminent at the Gaelic Grounds between neighbours Limerick and Clare.
Both counties have earned one win and endured a disappointing defeat so the stakes are piled high.
With Tipperary already in the All Ireland series only two places remain with Limerick, Clare, and Cork bracing themselves for a crucial spell.
Gearoid Hegarty set the tone for Limerick in Walsh Park, while Paddy O'Loughlin also contributed handsomely.
Clare were outfoxed by Tipperary on home turf so Donal Moloney and Gerry O'Connor will be demanding an instant response.
Limerick had a difficult afternoon of their own when Cork dictated the agenda so they will be eager to replicate the industry shown in Waterford.
Undoubtedly Clare will be hurting following the Tipperary reversal so this is a massive match for the Banner.
LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Mike Casey, Richie English; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Paddy O'Loughlin; Cian Lynch, William O'Donoghue; Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Graeme Mulcahy, Peter Casey.
CLARE: Donal Tuohy; Patrick O'Connor, David McInerney, Seadna Morey; Cathal Malone, Jack Browne, Conor Cleary; Shane Golden, Colm Galvin; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, Diarmuid Ryan; Shane O'Donnell, John Conlon, Podge Collins.
