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Hurling

hurling

Preview: Weekend's Hurling Championship action

Cork defeated Clare in the 2017 Munster SHC Final at Semple Stadium.

Cork defeated Clare in the 2017 Munster SHC Final at Semple Stadium.

Saturday June 30

Joe McDonagh Cup/Christy Ring Cup promotion/relegation play/off

Antrim v Kildare, Athletic Grounds, 12.45pm

This should be an interesting game at the Athletic Grounds.

Antrim have hurled quite well at stages in 2018, but still find themselves requiring a victory to preserve their Joe McDonagh Cup status.

Kildare were worthy Christy Ring Cup winners so are armed with significant momentum. This represents a step up for Joe Quaid's Lilywhites, but a lively match beckons.

Sunday July 1

Joe McDonagh Cup Final

Carlow v Westmeath, Croke Park, 1.45pm

Carlow and Westmeath clash for the fourth time in 2018 with the Joe McDonagh Cup a significant prize for the winners of Sunday's tussle at GAA headquarters.

In the Allianz Hurling League Division 2A decider Colm Bonnar's charges prevailed, but they know all about Westmeath's potential.

Michael Ryan steered the midlanders to four straight triumphs at the outset of the Joe McDonagh which captured the strides being taken by Westmeath.

In the last group game at Netwatch Cullen Park Carlow did just enough to beat Westmeath and a similarly tight match is anticipated.

Munster Senior Hurling Final

Clare v Cork, Semple Stadium, 2pm

Since losing to Cork in May the Clare response has been packed with passion, but more importantly, victories.

Waterford, Tipperary, and Limerick were all toppled by Gerry O'Connor and Donal Moloney's team.

John Conlon's relevance to the Clare cause is underlined by his 1-14 from play, while Tony Kelly's shooting from distance has also been a key feature.

Cork won two and drew two of their four games with Patrick Horgan, Seamus Harnedy, Conor Lehane, and Shane Kingston scoring heavily.

Darragh Fitzgibbon scampers about the pitch craving involvement, while Mark Coleman is another seriously talented young player.

Clare haven't claimed a Munster title in 20 years so they will want to deliver at a brimful Semple Stadium.

CLARE: Donal Tuohy; Patrick O'Connor, David McInerney, Jack Browne; Seadna Morey, Conor Cleary, Jamie Shanahan; Colm Galvin, Cathal Malone; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, David Reidy; Podge Collins, John Conlon, Shane O'Donnell.

CORK: Anthony Nash; Sean O'Donoghue, Damien Cahalane, Colm Spillane; Christopher Joyce, Eoin Cadogan, Mark Coleman; Darragh Fitzgibbon, Bill Cooper; Daniel Kearney, Conor Lehane, Seamus Harnedy; Luke Meade, Shane Kingston, Patrick Horgan.

Leinster Senior Hurling Final

Kilkenny v Galway, Croke Park, 4pm

With 16 Leinster Final wins in 20 years Kilkenny are well versed in delivering when it truly counts.

The Cats, though, will be the first to acknowledge Galway's craft and they have lost on four occasions to the Tribesmen under Brian Cody.

Last month in the most recent of those games Galway were too strong for Kilkenny at Pearse Stadium.

That was a reminder for the emerging Kilkenny players of the distance that still needs to be travelled, but they delivered in style in the second half against Wexford.

TJ Reid has struck 2-37 so far in the Championship and is motoring well for Kilkenny, while Walter Walsh has caused Galway problems previously.

Averaging 2-22 in the Championship so far, Galway, with Conor Whelan and Conor Cooney prominent, will want to produce in this provincial decider against Kilkenny.

KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy; Paul Murphy, Padraig Walsh, Paddy Deegan; Joey Holden, Cillian Buckley, Enda Morrissey; Conor Fogarty, James Maher; Martin Keoghan, TJ Reid, Richie Leahy; Billy Ryan, Walter Walsh, Ger Aylward.

GALWAY: James Skehill; Adrian Tuohy, Daithi Burke, John Hanbury; Padraic Mannion, Gearoid McInerney, Aidan Harte; Johnny Coen, David Burke; Joseph Cooney, Joe Canning, Niall Burke; Conor Whelan, Conor Cooney, Cathal Mannion.