Preview: Weekend's Hurling Championship action
Adrian Mullen and TJ Reid following Kilkenny's Leinster Championship win over Dublin at Nowlan Park.
Saturday May 18
Joe McDonagh Cup
Laois v Antrim, O'Moore Park, 3pm
Laois left Tullamore heartened last Saturday evening following a most satisfying success.
Eddie Brennan was delighted to put two points into the account and the victory sets them up nicely for the remainder of the competition.
That Laois struck 4-22 simply added to the feel good factor with Ross King's four points illustrating his value returning to the inter-county arena.
Antrim, though, had enjoyed a most productive outing themselves beating Kerry in Dunloy.
Neal Peden was part of the management team last year and saw how quickly things can change in this competition considering it is so competitive.
Antrim will believe that they can make an impact, but the trip to Portlaoise will be revealing.
Westmeath v Offaly, TEG Cusack Park, 3pm
Joe Quaid steered Westmeath to the Allianz Hurling League Division 2A title.
It represented a pleasing end to a decent spring for the midlanders, who were defeated in the Joe McDonagh Cup decider last summer.
That was a blow to Westmeath, but Quaid is a shrewd operator and is relishing the challenge of trying to bring the maroon and white team back into the Leinster Championship.
Offaly crave a return to that environment also so they were disappointed to lose a thriller against Laois on home turf.
Ultimately that reversal means Offaly need to take some points from this weekend's clash so it promises to be interesting.
OFFALY: Eoghan Cahill; David O'Toole Greene, Dermot Shortt, Ben Conneely; Colm Gath, Pat Camon, Niall Houlihan; Kevin Dunne, Mark Egan; Sean Dolan, Shane Dooley, Colin Egan; Conor Mahon, Joe Bergin, Oisin Kelly.
Wexford hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald.
Sunday May 19
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Carlow v Kilkenny, Netwatch Cullen Park, 3pm
Spirited until the end Carlow certainly gave Galway a fright, but the Tribesmen survived.]
The previous evening, with TJ Reid at his brilliant best, Kilkenny had sufficient class and composure to outfox Dublin.
Ravaged by injuries Kilkenny still found a way to eke out a win in difficult circumstances.
Talented and emerging players are being afforded opportunities in the striped shirt with Tommy Walsh contributing handsomely in the Dublin match.
Carlow are anxious to prove that they belong at this level with Marty Kavanagh's 0-11 haul against Galway noteworthy.
KILKENNY: Darren Brennan; Paul Murphy, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; Conor Fogarty, Padraig Walsh, Paddy Deegan; Alan Murphy, Richie Leahy; Adrian Mullen, Walter Walsh, TJ Reid; Bill Sheehan, Colin Fennelly, Ger Aylward.
Dublin v Wexford, Parnell Park, 3pm
A year ago Dublin also faced Wexford after nearly causing a surprise against Kilkenny.
It is a similar story again in 2019 as Mattie Kenny's charges left Nowlan Park reflecting on what might have been.
Dublin had the Cats under duress, but they coudln't cope once Kilkenny got motoring with the issue delicately poised in the second period.
Now Kenny will be demanding a victory on home turf at the Donnycarney venue.
Davy Fitzgerald's Wexford first outing in the province this year is tricky.
With a trip to Pearse Stadium imminent Wexford will want to have points on the board before hitting the west.
John Kiely and John Meyler following the epic 2018 All Ireland semi-final between Limerick and Cork at Croke Park.
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Tipperary v Waterford, Semple Stadium, 2pm
Suddenly Tipperary are loaded with hope and confidence again. That is what one thrilling Championship win can do.
Liam Sheedy, though, is adamant that the win in Cork should only be viewed as the start of this particular journey.
So Tipperary should be focused because Waterford need a positive result to keep their own summer alive.
The current format leaves little room for error and Waterford's opening weekend defeat to Clare was a setback.
Austin Gleeson did mine four points from play and Waterford staged a gutsy late rally which fell short.
Tipperary's splendid forward play with Seamus Callanan, John O'Dwyer, and John McGrath all rifling important scores, was a reminder of the talent in the blue and gold ranks.
TIPPERARY: Brian Hogan; Cathal Barrett, James Barry, Ronan Maher; Brendan Maher, Padraic Maher, Alan Flynn; Noel McGrath, Michael Breen; Jason Forde, Patrick Maher, Niall O'Meara; John O'Dwyer, Seamus Callanan, John McGrath.
WATERFORD: Stephen O'Keeffe; Calum Lyons, Conor Prunty, Noel Connors; Philip Mahony, Tadhg de Burca, Kevin Moran; Jamie Barron, Conor Gleeson; Thomas Ryan, Austin Gleeson, Pauric Mahony; Jack Prendergast, Patrick Curran, Stephen Bennett.
Limerick v Cork, Gaelic Grounds, 4pm
The standard bearers, Limerick, hosting a team requiring a restorative victory, Cork. An edgy encounter looms at the Gaelic Grounds.
Limerick and Cork's recent history is flaked with absorbing matches - the 2018 All Ireland semi-final turned into an epic.
Cork led by six in the dying embers before being pegged back by Limerick. Patrick Horgan subsequently forced extra-time, but Limerick had the depth and dynamism to thrive.
One lesson Cork learned at Croke Park on that memorable day was the importance of having a strong panel.
It is why John Meyler afforded opportunities to players during the Allianz Hurling League. Limerick were the standout team in the spring, but John Kiely will know that Cork's campaign hinges on the outcome of this game.
LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Mike Casey, Richie English; Diarmuid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Dan Morrissey; Cian Lynch, Darragh O'Donovan; Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes, Tom Morrissey; Peter Casey, Aaron Gillane, Graeme Mulcahy.
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; Conor Lehane, Patrick Horgan, Aidan Walsh.
