Lee Chin continues to impress for Wexford. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Saturday April 26
Dublin v Wexford, Parnell Park, 4.30pm, GAA+
In recent years, the contests between these counties have been tight and tense.
Just to prove that point, two of the last five matches have finished in draws.
Having both registered opening round wins, Dublin and Wexford will know the value and relevance of this game.
Dublin finished strongly against Offaly with Ronan Hayes supplying crucial scores when the issue was delicately poised.
Conor Donohoe, Seán Currie, and Brian Hayes also produced for Niall Ó Ceallacháin's outfit.
Lee Chin's remarkable 0-16 haul mattered deeply in Wexford's win over Antrim with Conor Hearne and Rory O'Connor also rifling over valuable points for Keith Rossiter's charges.
Dublin: Eddie Gibbons; John Bellew, Paddy Smyth, Andy Dunphy; Paddy Doyle, Chris Crummey, Paddy Dunleavy; Conor Burke, Conor Donohue; Brian Hayes, Ronan Hayes, Darragh Power; Seán Currie, Cian O'Sullivan, Diarmaid Ó Dulaing.
Subs: Seán Brennan, Kevin Burke, Colin Currie, Daire Gray, John Hetherton, Andrew Jamieson-Murphy, David Lucey, Riain McBride, Conor McHugh, Conal Ó Riain, Fergal Whitely.
Wexford: Mark Fanning; Eoin Ryan, Simon Donohoe, Conor Foley; Cian Molloy, Damien Reck, Charlie McGuckin; Conor Hearne, Richie Lawlor; Jack Redmond, Rory O'Connor, Kevin Foley; Cathal Dunbar, Lee Chin, Cian Byrne.
Subs: Andrew Kennedy, Séamus Casey, Niall Murphy, Darragh Carley, Darren Codd, Corey Byrne Dunbar, Simon Roche, Tomás Kinsella, Mikie Dwyer, Liam Ryan, Shane Reck.
Offaly v Galway, Glenisk O'Connor Park, 6.30pm
This match can be classed in the critical category following opening round losses.
Galway were surprisingly toothless away to Kilkenny at UPMC Nowlan Park with manager Micheal Donoghue acknowledging that significant improvement is required.
Cathal Mannion did score 0-10, including four from play, while Cianan Fahy did battle hard for an outclassed Galway.
Offaly were highly competitive at Parnell Park before a storming Dublin finish proved decisive.
Johnny Kelly, who had great success with Portumna, is enjoying a good stint in charge of the Faithful County, who will want to impress in Tullamore.
The Sampsons, Dan Ravenhill, and Brian Duignan continue to impress for a promising Offaly outfit, who will be eager to produce an equally substantial performance.
Offaly: Mark Troy; Ben Conneely, Ciarán Burke, Padraig Cantwell; Ross Ravenhill, Donal Shirley, Jason Sampson; Cathal King, David King; Killian Sampson, Daniel Bourke, Oisín Kelly; Dan Ravenhill, Brian Duignan, Charlie Mitchell.
Subs: Liam Hoare, Eoghan Cahill, Colin Spain, David Nally, Eoin Burke, Sam Bourke, James Mahon, Jack Clancy, Patrick Taaffe, Cillian Kiely, Luke Watkins.
Galway: Darach Fahy; Fintan Burke, Daithí Burke, Darren Morrissey; Padraic Mannion, Gavin Lee, TJ Brennan; Cianan Fahy, Tom Monaghan; John Fleming, Cathal Mannion, Tiernan Killeen; Conor Whelan, Brian Concannon, Declan McLoughlin.
Subs: Eanna Murphy, Jack Grealish, Joshua Ryan, Ronan Glennon, Seán Linnane, Donal Ó Shea, Rory Burke, John Cooney, Conor Cooney, David Burke, Colm Molloy.
Sunday April 27
Antrim v Kilkenny, Corrigan Park, 2pm
Despite some injury issues, Kilkenny still cruised to a comfortable home win over Galway.
That was a satisfactory start for Derek Lyng's team with Fionan Mackessy, Martin Keoghan, and Eoin Cody all prominent in attack.
Cian Kenny and Jordan Molloy are other players making an impact for Kilkenny, who head for Belfast heartened.
Antrim leaked two second half goals against Wexford last weekend, but James McNaughton, Gerard Walsh, and Keelan Molloy showed their ability on that stage.
This will be a demanding fixture for the Saffrons, so Davy Fitzgerald's outfit will be striving to produce a gutsy display at Corrigan Park.
Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Stephen Rooney, Niall O'Connor, Paddy Burke; Conor Boyd, Joe Maskey, Conal Bohill; Eoghan Campbell, Gerard Walsh; Keelan Molloy, Nigel Elliott, Scott Walsh; Ryan McCambridge, James McNaughton, Conor Johnston.
Subs: Cormac McFadden, Eoin McFerran, Declan McCloskey, Ryan McGarry, Cormac McKeown, Seán McKay, Joseph McLaughlin, Eoin O'Neill, Aodhan McGarry, Rory McCloskey, Paul Boyle.
Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; Mikey Carey, Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan; Cian Kenny, Jordan Molloy; Fionán Mackessy, John Donnelly, Billy Ryan; Stephen Donnelly, Martin Keoghan, Eoin Cody.
Subs: Dean Mason, Padraic Moylan, Killian Doyle, Peter McDonald, Eoghan Lyng, Harry Shine, Luke Hogan, Billy Drennan, Gearoid Dunne, Luke Connellan, Owen Wall.
Michael Breen, Tipperary, and Brian Hayes, Cork, in Allianz Hurling League Division 1A Final action. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Sunday April 27
Waterford v Clare, Walsh Park, 2pm, RTE
Another Sunday of Munster SHC drama beckons with Waterford eager to make an impact.
All-Ireland champions Clare produced a defiant comeback to divide the spoils with Cork at Ennis.
That match demonstrated the grit and resilience in Brian Lohan's panel as Clare thundered back to draw a thriller.
Aidan McCarthy finished with 1-7, while Tony Kelly struck five points, including three from play, as Clare fought back.
Having trailed 2-15 to 0-9 at the break, it was quite a turnaround. Nonetheless, Lohan will know that a pumped up Waterford will be dangerous opposition.
Peter Queally's charges finished the Allianz Hurling League strongly, claiming Division 1B silverware.
Jamie Barron and the excellent Dessie Hutchinson are still going strong for the Deise, who will be primed for this Walsh Park battle.
Waterford: Billy Nolan; Ian Kenny, Conor Prunty, Iarlaith Daly; Mark Fitzgerald, Tadgh de Burca, Paddy Leavey; Darragh Lyons, Kieran Bennett; Stephen Bennett, Jamie Barron, Jack Prendergast; Kevin Mahony, Dessie Hutchinson, Patrick Curran.
Subs: Shaun O'Brien, Tom Barron, Carthach Daly, Michael Kiely, Patrick Fitzgerald, Austin Gleeson, Shane Bennett, Seán Walsh, Conor Sheahan, Padraig Fitzgerald, Charlie Treen.
Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Darragh Lohan, Conor Leen; Cian Galvin, John Conlon, David McInerney; David Fitzgerald, Cathal Malone; Tony Kelly, Mark Rodgers, Peter Duggan; Ryan Taylor, Aidan McCarthy, David Reidy.
Subs: Eamon Foudy, Daithí Lohan, Colm O'Meara, Rory Hayes, Paddy Donnellan, Aron Shanagher, Shane Meehan, Jack O'Neill, Ian Galvin, Seán Rynne, Shane Woods.
Cork v Tipperary, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 4pm, RTE
A repeat of the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A decider, which Cork won in convincing fashion earlier this month.
Subsequently both counties have drawn their Munster openers, leaving Pat Ryan and Liam Cahill with plenty to ponder ahead of this eagerly anticipated Leeside tussle.
Cork, with Alan Connolly and Brian Hayes effective, scorched into a 2-15 to 0-9 half-time lead against Clare.
After the restart, though, Clare pounced to score three goals against Cork, who eventually left Ennis with a division of the spoils.
Now, Cork will want to respond against Tipperary at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, but the form of Darragh Fitzgibbon and Tim O'Mahony bodes well.
Tipperary produced a gutsy performance when drawing with Limerick at FBD Semple Stadium.
There was much to admire in that Tipperary display; John McGrath's 2-1 contribution, Darragh McCarthy's composure, and the nifty Jake Morris also excelled.
Eoghan Connolly and Ronan Maher were hearty in the backs too for Tipp, who will need to be similarly industrious against Cork.
Cork: Patrick Collins; Niall O'Leary, Eoin Downey, Seán O'Donoghue; Ciarán Joyce, Rob Downey, Mark Coleman; Tim O'Mahony, Ethan Twomey; Declan Dalton, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Séamus Harnedy; Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes.
Subs: Brion Saunderson, Cormac O'Brien, Damien Cahalane, Ger Millerick, Tommy O'Connell, Luke Meade, Brian Roche, Diarmuid Healy, Robbie O'Flynn, Shane Kingston, Jack O'Connor.
Tipperary: Barry Hogan; Robert Doyle, Eoghan Connolly, Michael Breen; Joe Caesar, Ronan Maher, Bryan O'Mara; Craig Morgan, Darragh Stakelum; Alan Tynan, Jake Morris, Sam O'Farrell; Darragh McCarthy, John McGrath, Jason Forde.
Subs: Rhys Shelly, Conor Bowe, Willie Connors, Seán Kenneally, Séamus Kennedy, Brian McGrath, Noel McGrath, Andrew Ormond, Gearóid O'Connor, Johnny Ryan, Conor Stakelum.
Carlow senior hurling team manager Tom Mullally. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
Joe McDonagh Cup
Saturday April 26
Down v Laois, Ballycran, 1.30pm
Contrasting starts to the 2025 Joe McDonagh Cup for Down and Laois.
So impressive in the Allianz Hurling League, Down leaked six goals against Carlow at Netwatch Cullen Park last Sunday.
That was a disappointing defeat for Down, who will want to respond in Ballycran against a Laois team that proved too strong for Westmeath.
Tom McGrttan did score eight points for Down against Carlow, while Pearse Óg McCrickard was another player to impress.
A 1-8 haul from Tomas Keyes and Ben Conroy's 1-2 were important in Laois' encouraging triumph over Westmeath.
Down: Stephen Keith; Matt Conlan, John McManus, Tom Murray; Marc Fisher, Caolan Taggart, Liam Savage; Donal Hughes, Phelim Savage; Chris Egan, Tim Prenter, Eoghan Sands; Finn Turpin, Shea Pucci, Pearse Óg McCrickard.
Subs: Cahal Lavery, Niall McFarland, Paul Sheehan, Michael Dorrian, Ben Teggart, Jordan Murphy, Ruairi McCrickard, Daithi Sands, Owen McGreevy, Seán McCarthy, Tiernan Connolly.
Laois: Cathal Dunne; Diarmuid Conway, Lee Cleere, Cody Comerford; Tom Cuddy, Padraig Delaney, Ryan Mullaney; Fiachra C Fennell, Paddy Purcell; Aidan Corby, Cha Dwyer, David Dooley; Tomas Keyes, Jer Quinlan, Ben Conroy.
Subs: Eoin Fleming, Donnchadh Hartnett, Padraic Dunne, Eoin Gaughan, John Lennon, James Keyes, Martin Phelan, Eanna Lyons, William Dunphy, PJ Scully, James Duggan.
Kildare v Westmeath, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 4.30pm
Not even the brilliance of Killian Doyle and Peter Clarke for Westmeath could deny Laois last weekend.
Doyle rifled 1-11, while Clarke struck five points from play, but Laois still prevailed.
Now, the midlanders travel to Newbridge for a vital fixture against Kildare, who were blitzed late on by Kerry.
David Qualter and Gerry Keegan were lively for the Lilywhites, who conceded the last five points against the Kingdom at Cedral St Conleth's Park.
Kildare: Paddy McKenna; Liam O'Reilly, Rian Boran, Daniel O'Meara; Paul Dolan, Simon Leacy, Cian Boran; Daire Guerin, Cathal McCabe; David Qualter, James Burke, Darragh Melville; Jack Sheridan, Cathal Dowling, Gerry Keegan.
Subs: Mark Doyle, Jack Travers, Harry Carroll, Richy Hogan, James Dolan, Jack Higgins, Muiris Curtin, James Dolan, Conn Kehoe, Matt Eustace, Cormac Byrne
Westmeath: Ciarán O'Brien; Conor Gaffney, Tommy Doyle, Gary Greville; Aaron Craig, Robbie Greville, Shane Williams; Davy Glennon, Eamon Cunneen; Joseph Boyle, Killian Doyle, Peter Clarke; David O'Reilly, Niall O'Brien, David Williams.
Subs: Jack Gillen, Matthew Cunningham, Mark Cunningham, Adam Ennis, David Hickey, Eoin Keyes, Rory Keyes, Owen McCabe, Darragh McCormack, Niall Mitchell, Kevin Regan.
Sunday April 27
Kerry v Carlow, Austin Stack Park, 2pm
This should be a revealing game between two teams buoyed up by fine opening round wins.
Kerry finished with a flourish in Newbridge to beat Kildare, scoring five points in a row, including a sweet effort from captain Oisín Maunsell, who led by example.
Padraig Boyle struck 1-7 before suffering an injury for Kerry, who will know all about the class Carlow possess.
Chris Nolan netted a hat-trick of goals in the emphatic win over Down, while Marty Kavanagh and James Doyle are others still delivering for Tom Mullally's outfit.
Kerry: Louis Dee; Kyle O'Connor, Flor McCarthy, Dara Kearney; Darragh Shanahan, Kevin Goulding, Seánie McGrath; Paudie O'Connor, Daithí Griffin; Tom Doyle, Killian Hayes, Luke Crowley; Darragh Conway, Oisín Maunsell, Dylan Moriarty.
Subs: Diarmuid Quirke, Rory Mahony, Shane Nolan, Seamie Foran, Seánie Brosnan, Adam Segal, Luke Rochford, Niall Mulcahy, Daniel Casey, Conor O'Keeffe, Thomas Casey.
Carlow: Brian Tracey; Paul Doyle, Dion Wall, Niall Bolger; Evan Kealy, Kevin McDonald, Jack McCullagh; James Doyle, Fiachra Fitzpatrick; Jon Nolan, Ted Joyce, Jack Treacy; Chris Nolan, Martin Kavanagh, Donagh Murphy.
Subs: Kyle Foley, Lorcan Doyle, Paidí O'Shea, Tony Lawlor, Conor Kehoe, Ciarán Whelan, Paddy Boland, Richard Coady, Seán Joyce, Fiach O'Toole, John Michael Nolan.
