Your guide to all this weekend’s action in Gaelic games: throw-in times, team news, tv details
All-Ireland Hurling semi-finals preview: Sport illustrated acclaimed classic and epic trilogies - more Croker drama awaits
Michael Verney gives the lowdown on this weekend’s fixtures in Gaelic games.
SATURDAY
All-Ireland SHC semi-final
Kilkenny v Clare, Croke Park, 3.0 – RTÉ 1/BBC 2
Ryan Taylor returns to the Clare match-day squad for the first time since suffering a cruciate injury in this fixture 12 months ago and is a welcome boost for Brian Lohan’s men as they bid finally to get one over on the Cats. Derek Lyng’s men oozed class in their Leinster final demolition of Dublin, though, and can book their final place for the third year in succession.
KILKENNY: E Murphy; M Butler, H Lawlor, T Walsh; D Blanchfield, R Reid, M Carey; C Kenny, P Deegan; A Mullen, TJ Reid, J Donnelly; M Keoghan, B Ryan, E Cody.
CLARE: E Quilligan; A Hogan, C Cleary, C Leen; D Ryan, J Conlon, D McInerney; D Fitzgerald, C Malone; T Kelly, M Rodgers, P Duggan; A McCarthy, S O’Donnell, D Reidy.
Verdict: Kilkenny
TG4 Ladies All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals
Cork v Waterford, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 1.15 – TG4
It’s one win apiece from their meetings this year, but Cork might just edge this on home soil.
Verdict: Cork
Kerry v Meath, Austin Stack Park, 5.15 – TG4
Vikki Wall is back in the mix for the Royals, but it’s hard to see past Kerry.
Verdict: Kerry
Dublin v Galway, Parnell Park, 7.30 – TG4
Carla Rowe is in superb form for the defending All-Ireland champions and Mick Bohan’s Dubs can prevail.
Verdict: Dublin
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship quarter-final
Dublin v Kilkenny, Croke Park, 12.30 – RTÉ 1
This all-Leinster clash should go the way of Peter Cleere’s Cats.
Verdict: Kilkenny
SUNDAY
All-Ireland SHC semi-final
Limerick v Cork, Croke Park, 4.0 – RTÉ 2/BBC 2
Barry Nash misses out for Limerick in this mouth-watering rematch after Cork scalped the Treaty in Munster. John Kiely’s men are firm favourites to land the ‘drive for five’ and the Rebels will have to go to places they have never gone before to knock them off their perch. Limerick’s solidity at the back should prove the difference in a potential classic.
LIMERICK: N Quaid; S Finn, D Morrissey, M Casey; D Byrnes, D Hannon, K Hayes; W O’Donoghue, C O’Neill; G Hegarty, C Lynch, T Morrissey; A Gillane, S Flanagan, D Reidy.
CORK: P Collins; N O’Leary, E Downey, S O’Donoghue; T O’Mahony, R Downey, M Coleman; C Joyce, D Fitzgibbin; D Dalton, S Barrett, S Harnedy; P Horgan, A Connolly, B Hayes.
Verdict: Limerick
Electric Ireland MFC final
Derry v Armagh, O’Neills Healy Park, 2.0 – TG4
Damien McErlain’s Derry can make it a third win this year over Armagh to land the Tom Markham Cup.
Verdict: Derry
Ladies All-Ireland SFC quater-final
Armagh v Mayo, Box-It Athletic Grounds, 5.45 – TG4
Greg McGonigle’s League champions can book their last four spot.
Verdict: Armagh
All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship quarter-final
Galway v Waterford, Croke Park, 1.30 – RTÉ 2
Galway are off-colour and this is a glorious chance to take them down.
Verdict: Waterford
