Conor Lehane, Cork, and Paddy Deegan, Kilkenny, collide during an Allianz Hurling League encounter at Nowlan Park in March.
Sunday July 14
All Ireland SHC Quarter-Finals
Kilkenny v Cork, Croke Park, 2pm
A first Championship meeting between Kilkenny and Cork since the 2013 clash at the same stage.
That culminated in a victory for Cork, who summoned a defiant display to survive.
The stakes are piled similarly high this Sunday with the prize for the winners a place in the penultimate round.
Cork struck a mammoth 1-40 when cruising to an emphatic success over Westmeath at TEG Csuack Park.
A talented Cork attack featuring Patrick Horgan, Seamus Harnedy, and Alan Cadogan continues to impress.
Harnedy and Cadogan have both struck 1-14 each from play, while the prolific Horgan has contributed 4-52.
At the opposite end of the field TJ Reid remains a most influential figure for Kilkenny notching 5-54 thus far.
Ballyhale Shamrocks' colleagues Adrian Mullen and Colin Fennelly have both shown glimpses of their ability.
Brian Cody will be demanding a response following a disappointing Leinster Final loss to Wexford.
That setback at GAA headquarters hurt Kilkenny, who will want to claim a place in the last four. Cork's ambition is similar so this promises to be interesting.
KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy; Paul Murphy, Huw Lawlor, Joey Holden; Paddy Deegan, Padraig Walsh, Cillian Buckley; Conor Browne, Conor Fogarty; Richie Hogan, TJ Reid, Richie Leahy; Adrian Mullen, Colin Fennelly, John Donnelly.
CORK: Anthony Nash; Sean O'Donoghue, Eoin Cadogan, Stephen McDonnell; Niall O'Leary, Mark Ellis, Mark Coleman; Bill Cooper, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Daniel Kearney, Conor Lehane, Luke Meade; Alan Cadogan, Patrick Horgan, Seamus Harnedy.
Laois forward Ross King and manager Eddie Brennan celebrate last weekend's All Ireland SHC Preliminary Quarter-Final win over Dublin at O'Moore Park.
Tipperary v Laois, Croke Park, 4pm
It has been a dramatic stint for Laois, who gleaned the Joe McDonagh Cup before stunning Dublin in last Sunday's All Ireland SHC Preliminary Quarter-Final.
Eddie Brennan's rapidly improving team impressed at O'Moore Park and were worthy winners over Dublin.
Now another demanding assignment awaits against Tipperary, who will be anxious to respond following a Munster Final loss to Limerick.
That was a blow for Tipperary, who were overpowered by Limerick in the closing stages.
Liam Sheedy's outfit, though, had shown their class earlier on in the provincial series stitching a four match winning sequence together.
John O'Dwyer, John McGrath, and Seamus Callanan all delivered valuable scoring contributions in that burst, while the Mahers were key figures in defence.
Laois will be eager to ensure the lively Paddy Purcell can make an impact at centrefield, with Ryan Mullaney a forceful presence at centre back.
Willie Dunphy, Aaron Dunphy, and Mark Kavanagh have been sharp in attack and will be striving to pose questions for Tipperary at the Jones Road venue.
TIPPERARY: Brian Hogan; Cathal Barrett, James Barry, Alan Flynn; Brendan Maher, Padraic Maher, Ronan Maher; Noel McGrath, Ger Browne; Dan McCormack, John O'Dwyer, Niall O'Meara; Jason Forde, Seamus Callanan, John McGrath.
LAOIS: Enda Rowland; Lee Cleere, Matthew Whelan, Joe Phelan; Jack Kelly, Ryan Mullaney, Padraig Delaney; John Lennon, Paddy Purcell; Aaron Dunphy, Mark Kavanagh, Eanna Lyons; Willie Dunphy, Charles Dwyer, Ross King.
