Na Piarsaigh face Ahane in the Limerick SHC on Saturday evening.
CORK SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday July 31
Midleton v Sarsfields, Pairc Ui Rinn, 7.30pm
Saturday August 1
Douglas v Ballyhea, Mallow, 5pm
Blackrock v Erins Owen, Pairc Ui Rinn, 5pm
Glen Rovers v St Finbarrs, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 7.30pm
Sunday August 2
Bishopstown v Newtownshandrum, Glantane, 3pm
Na Piarsaigh v Carrigtwohill, Caherlag, 3pm
An eagerly anticipated Cork Senior Hurling Championship commences with several exciting encounters scheduled.
The Saturday evening city derby involving traditional forces Glen Rovers and St Finbarrs will be monitored with interest.
Elsewhere Blackrock will be anxious to make a positive early statement, while Friday's tussle at Pairc Ui Rinn should be revealing for Midleton and Sarsfields.
LIMERICK SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday July 31
Doon v Adare, LIT Gaelic Grounds, 7.30pm
Saturday August 1
Ahane v Na Piarsaigh, LIT Gaelic Grounds, 7.30pm
Murroe Boher v South Liberties, Caherconlish, 7pm
Garryspillane v Blackrock, 7pm
An interesting start to the Limerick Championship unfolded with Doon and Adare set to clash on Friday.
Adare contributed to a high quality match against Patrickswell, but Aaron Gillane's class was the key factor.
Now they will want to summon an instant response, but Doon have made significant strides during the past decade.
WATERFORD SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday August 1
Lismore v Fourmilewater, Fraher Field, 3pm
Abbeyside v Ballysaggart, Fraher Field, 7pm
Sunday August 2
Roanmore v Clonea, Walsh Park, 2pm
Passage v Tallow, Fraher Field, 6pm
With Ballygunner setting a high standard in Waterford some of the chasing pack are in action this weekend.
Fraher Field provides the backdrop for two important fixtures on Saturday, while Passge and Tallow also collide at the same venue on Sunday evening.
Oulart-The Ballagh manager Liam Dunne being interviewed by TG4 before their recent Wexford SHC opener against St Martin's.
WEXFORD SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday July 31
Oulart-The Ballagh v Cloughbawn, Bellefield, 7.30pm
Fethard v Faythe Harriers, Chadwicks Wexfod Park, 7.30pm
Saturday August 1
Naomh Eanna v Shelmaliers, Bellefield, 2pm
Glynn Barntown v Rathnure, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2pm
A keenly contested Wexford Championship continues this weekend with the Friday game between Oulart-The Ballagh and Cloughbawn carrying importance.
Rathnure have developed some good young players, and they are set to receive another stern test at Chadwicks Wexford Park against Glynn Barntown.
KILKENNY SENIOR HURLING LEAGUE
Friday July 31
Bennettsbridge v O'Loughlin Gaels, John Locke Park, 7.30pm
Ballyhale Shamrocks v Tullaroan, UPMC Nowlan Park, 7.30pm
Saturday August 1
Graigue Ballycallan v Clara, Pairc Lachtain, 1pm
James Stephens v Danesfort, UPMC Nowlan Park, 4.15pm
Erins Own v Mullinavat, UPMC Nowlan Park, 7pm
Rower Inistioge v Dicksboro, Bennettsbridge, 7pm
The meeting of AIB All Ireland Club Senior and Intermediate Hurling champions, Ballyhale Shamrocks versus Tullaroan, carries intrigue.
Tullaoran, with the Walsh brothers still influential, make a welcome return to the top tier, but Shamrocks remain the most capable outfit at this level in the land.
Saturday also features some very attractive fixtures in Kilkenny including the game involving James Stephens and Danesfort.
CARLOW SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday July 31
St Mullins v Ballinkillen, Netwatch Cullen Park, 7.30pm
Saturday August 1
Mount Leinster Rangers v Naomh Eoin, Netwatch Cullen Park, 7pm
Holders St Mullins are in action on Friday evening, while on Saturday Mount Leinster Rangers, beaten finalists last year, face Naomh Eoin.
OFFALY SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday July 31
Birr v Kilcormac-Killoughey, Banagher, 7.30pm
Ballinamere v Shinrone, Rath, 7.30pm
Saturday August 1
Belmont v St Rynagh's, Bord Na Mona O'Connor Park, 7pm
Coolderry v Seir Kieran, Birr, 7pm
A string of clubs are confident about attaining success in Offaly with Friday's match between Birr and Kilcormac-Killoughey likely to be eventful.
Birr's last county title was registered in 2008 with Kilcormac-Killoughey collecting four Championships in the intervening dozen years.
Coolderry, champions in 2018, will be aware of the threat posed by an improving Seir Kieran, while holders St Rynagh's start their defence against Belmont.
