Waterford Senior Hurling Championship Final
Sunday August 30
Ballygunner v Passage, Walsh Park, 2pm
Valuable lessons were learned by Ballygunner in the 2013 Waterford SHC Final defeat against Passage.
In the intervening years Ballygunner have collected six county titles on the spin, including a 2016 triumph over Passage which ended in a 4-20 to 1-12 scoreline.
It is unlikely to be so one sided when the two proud clubs gather at Walsh Park on Sunday.
The past decade has featured so many accomplished Ballygunner displays with Dessie Hutchinson illustrating his considerable ability in the semi-final.
Passage, though, have proven to be a gritty outfit this year, and will be striving to cause a surprise.
Carlow Senior Hurling Championship Final
Sunday August 30
Mount Leinster Rangers v Ballinkillen, Netwatch Cullen Park, 3pm
Ballinkillen delivered when it truly counted to overcome St Mullins at the penultimate stage.
Now another daunting task awaits against Mount Leinster Rangers, who claimed glory in 2017 and 2018.
Ballinkillen haven't won a Carlow crown since 2001, but have stitched a nice team together in recent years.
Dessie Hutchinson impressed for Ballygunner against Lismore last weekend.
Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship
Quarter-Finals
Saturday August 29
Kiladangan v Tommevara, Semple Stadium, 2pm
Thurles Sarsfields v Nenagh Eire Og, Semple Stadium, 6pm
Sunday August 30
Clonoulty-Rossmore v Loughmore-Castleiney, Semple Stadium, 2pm
Borris-Ileigh v Drom-Inch, Semple Stadium, 6pm
An eagerly anticipated weekend in the Tipperary SHC looms.
Through sheer hard work and underage development Kiladangan have emerged as a serious force in the Premier County, but Toomevara bring tradition and talent into their last eight battle.
With 21 titles gleaned throughout the decades, Toome's emerging crop of players are beginning to believe again.
Favourites Thurles Sarsfields remain the most prolific winners of the competition.
The Maher brothers continue to provide the defensive class and inspiration for Sarsfields, who will treat the Nenagh Eire Og challenge with respect.
Clonoulty-Rossmore, with Timmy Hammersley accurate in attack, will be striving to deliver against the McGrath led Loughmore-Castleiney.
On Sunday evening holders Borris-Ileigh, still being prompted by the splendid Brendan Maher, clash with Seamus Callanan's Drom-Inch.
Cork Senior Hurling Championship
Saturday August 29
Blackrock v Bishopstown, Ballyanley, 7pm
Erins Own v Newtownshandrum, Glantane, 7pm
Glen Rovers v Na Piarsaigh, Pairc Ui Rinn, 7pm
Midleton v Douglas, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 7pm
Sarsfields v Ballyhea, Mourneabbey, 7pm
St Finbarrs v Carrigtwohill, Carrigaline, 7pm
Douglas and Midelton's Pairc Ui Chaoimh encounter on Saturday tops the bill Leeside.
Sarsfields have beaten Douglas and Midleton already so the impending match carries severe implications.
Glen Rovers and Na Piarsaigh will add another chapter to their rich history, while Blackrock and Bishopstown's meeting also is worth monitoring.
Brendan Maher remains an influential figure for Borris-Ileigh.
Galway Senior Hurling Championship
Preliminary Quarter-Finals
Saturday August 29
Killimordaly v Mullagh, Kenny Park, 1pm
Sarsfields v Ardrahan, Kenny Park, 4pm
Sunday August 30
Liam Mellows v Gort, Kenny Park, 3pm
Craughwell v Ahascragh-Fohenagh, Kenny Park, 6pm
The knockout stages of the Galway SHC start this weekend.
Sarsfields staged a last gasp recovery mission to defeat Castlegar, and now face Ardrahan.
Liam Mellows, who have featured in the last three finals, have introduced some promising young players. Gort, though, will pose stern questions in Athenry.
Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship
Saturday August 29
Shamrocks Ballyhale v Rower Inistioge, UPMC Nowlan Park, 2pm
Danesfort v Mullinavat, UPMC Nowlan Park, 5pm
Sunday August 30
Bennettsbridge v Graigue Ballycallan, UPMC Nowlan Park, 2pm
Tullaroan v Erins Own, UPMC Nowlan Park, 5pm
AIB All Ireland Club champions Shamrocks Ballyhale face Rower Inistigoe on Saturday.
The other games will supply thrills and spills too with Tullaroan and Erins Own carrying local interest.
Bennettsbridge and Graigue Ballycallan's meeting is attractive, while Danesfort and Mullinavat will also believe that progess can be made in 2020.
Laois Senior Hurling Championship
Saturday August 29
Clough-Ballcolla v Abbeyleix, MW Hire O'Moore Park, 3.30pm
Ballinakill v Borris in Ossory-Kilcotton, MW Hire O'Moore Park, 5.30pm
Camross v Rosenallis, MW Hire O'Moore Park, 2pm
Castletown v Rathdowney-Errill, MW Hire O'Moore Park, 4pm
Raathdowney-Errill returned to the Laois summit last year, but Castletown will be anxious to spring a surprise on Sunday.
Camross won two titles in a row in 2017 and 2018, but will afford Rosenallis respect.
Offaly Senior Hurling Championship
Saturday August 29
Coolderry v Kilcormac-Killoughey, Birr, 3pm
Belmont v Shinrone, Birr, 6.30pm
Sunday August 30
Birr v Seir Kieran, Bord Na Mona O'Connor Park, 1.30pm
Ballinamere v St Rynagh's, Bord Na Mona O'Connor Park, 5pm
Following a couple of weeks inactivity, the Offaly SHC makes a welcome return this weekend.
Coolderry and Kilcormac-Killoughey collide in a repeat of the 2018 decider, while Belmont and Shinrone also clash.
Birr have lost four finals since 2011 and remain eager to make an impact, but Seir Kieran have shown signs of development in recent years.
Wicklow Senior Hurling Championship
Sunday August 30
Bray Emmets v Avondale, Arklow, 1pm
Eire Og Greystones v Glenealy, Aughrim, 1pm
St Patrick's v Kiltegan, Aughrim, 4pm
Bray Emmets have won four of the last six Wicklow titles and are viewed as the team to beat again.
Glenealy have contested three finals in a row, though, and will be striving to overcome Eire Og Greystones.
