Kieran Bennett, Waterford, and Cian Lynch, Limerick, in action during the Munster SHC final at Semple Stadium.
Sunday December 13
All Ireland SHC Final
Limerick v Waterford, Croke Park, 3.30pm
A novel All Ireland SHC final pairing ensures significant intrigue surrounds Sunday's encounter at Croke Park.
Limerick and Waterford have both enjoyed productive campaigns so it is fitting they bring down the curtain on the hurling year.
Hoisting the Liam MacCarthy Cup in the Hogan Stand will be the considerable prize for whoever prevails.
The Munster showpiece ultimately culminated in a Limerick win, but Waterford's response has been impressive.
Dramatic triumphs over Clare and Kilkenny, in particular, followed so Liam Cahill's enter this match hopeful and heartened.
Limerick endured some difficult moments against Galway, but John Kiely's team were still able to find a way to survive.
Even when Galway drew level in the dying embers Limerick remained unperturbed with Tom Morrissey's scores and substance critical.
Gearoid Hegarty, another prominent figure for Limerick throughout the condensed Championship, has nailed 0-13 from play in four matches, but his influence is everywhere.
Limerick's diligent half forward line carry such relevance that Waterford will be especially eager to disturb that unit.
Austin Gleeson, Waterford, and Kyle Hayes, Limerick, collide during the Munster SHC final.
Inside Aaron Gillane continues to be self sufficient and accurate so Waterford must be solid from the outset. Any lapses in concentration will be punished.
At the opposite end of the field Waterford will trust that Stephen Bennett, Dessie Hutchinson, and the gifted Austin Gleeson can pose questions.
Centrefielder Jamie Barron will buzz about craving involvement, while Jack Fagan delivered when it counted against Kilkenny.
Cahill's mixture of passion and purpose has earned many further admirers in recent months with Waterford's development worthy of the utmost respect.
Limerick gleefully celebrated at GAA headquarters in 2018 when terminating a 45 year search for an All Ireland title.
In the intervening years a couple of Allianz League and Munster crowns have been added to the collection by an accomplished collection of players.
Nickie Quaid's consistency, Sean Finn's courage, Kyle Hayes' running, and Cian Lynch's poise are other vital aspects to Limerick's play.
Waterford, without an All Ireland since the famous replay success over the Cats in 1959, have pace and potential.
This could go the distance.
LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Kyle Hayes; Darragh O'Donovan, William O'Donoghue; Gearoid Hegarty, Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Seamus Flanagan, Graeme Mulcahy.
WATERFORD: Stephen O'Keeffe; Ian Kenny, Conor Prunty, Shane McNulty; Calum Lyons, Tadhg de Burca, Kevin Moran; Jamie Barron, Kieran Bennett; Jack Fagan, Neil Montgomery, Stephen Bennett; Dessie Hutchinson, Austin Gleeson, Jack Prendergast.
Antrim defeated Kerry in the Allianz Hurling League Division 2A final in October.
Joe McDonagh Cup Final
Antrim v Kerry, Croke Park, 1pm
The Joe McDonagh Cup continues to provide excitement and drama.
Even during these deeply uncertain times the competitiveness was evident.
Just to prove that belief no team gleaned the full complement of spoils from the group stages.
Antrim pocketed three wins and a draw to top the table, while Kerry accumulated six points from a possible eight.
It was sufficient to set up a repeat of the Allianz Hurling League Division 2A decider which Antrim won in October.
Since then Antrim stitched a decent run together in the Joe McDonagh setting the tone with a commanding first round win over Westmeath.
Ciaran Clarke's remarkable scoring returns confirm his relevance to the Saffron cause with Darren Gleeson's shrewd guidance hugely respected in the north.
Joe Maskey, Antrim, and Michael O'Leary, Kerry, in Allianz Hurling League Division2A final action.
Gleeson has extracted consistent performances from Antrim, who have the cut of a rapidly improving team.
Kerry, though, are also managed by a well regarded figure in Fintan O'Connor, who has relished the Kingdom coaching challenge.
Inevitably Shane Conway's influence is unquestionable, while Daniel Collins and Mikey Boyle also contributed handsomely when Kerry's need was great against Carlow.
That was a satisfying victory for Kerry, who will be fully aware of the threat posed by Antrim.
In Round Three on November 14 Antrim, with Conor McCann, Clarke, and Michael Bradley in the groove, edged out Kerry at Corrigan.
Beating the same team three times on the spin in such quick succession is a challenge Antrim must embrace.
Kerry will believe that glory can be attained at the Jones Road venue too. So this will be keenly contested with the stakes piled high.
ANTRIM: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Matthew Donnelly, Stephen Rooney; Gerard Walsh, Paddy Burke, Joe Maskey; Eoghan Campbell, Keelan Molloy; Niall McKenna, James McNaughton, Michael Bradley; Dan McCloskey, Conor McCann, Ciaran Clarke.
