Waterford's Pauric Mahony surrounded by Limerick's Seamus Flanagan and Kyle Hayes during the 2019 Allianz Hurling League Final.
Saturday June 1
Joe McDonagh Cup
Offaly v Antrim
Suddenly following Westmeath's loss against Kerry the Joe McDonagh is full of possibilities.
Offaly, though, have endured a disappointing start suffering defeats to Laois and Westmeath.
Having installed Joachim Kelly as manager the Faithful are eager to conclude this competition with a couple of victories.
That is a demanding task because Antrim impressed when beating Kerry before losing to Laois.
Neal Peden's team still harbour ambitions of reaching the decider and if that objective is to be realised a triumph in Tullamore would be extremely helpful.
OFFALY: Eoghan Cahill; Ben Conneely, Dermot Shortt, Pat Camon; Cillian Kiely, Shane Kinsella, Mark Egan; Aidan Treacy, Paddy Murphy; Colin Egan, Joe Bergin, Peter Geraghty; Shane Dooley, Oisin Kelly, Kevin Connolly.
Sunday June 2
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Waterford v Limerick, Walsh Park, 2pm
Bitterly disappointing defeats to Clare and Tipperary mean Waterford must summon a response on home turf.
That All Ireland champions Limerick lost to Clare in their opening fixture merely adds to the challenge.
Waterford and Limerick desperately need points if a place in the All Ireland series is to be attained.
Following the Cork reversal Limerick manager John Kiely accepted and acknowledged the significance of this match against Waterford.
The Deise summoned a late rally against Clare, but it wasn't enough. Seven days later Tipperary fended off Waterford with admirable composure ensuring Paraic Fanning's charges must chalk up two wins against Limerick and Cork to have any chance of staying in the Championship.
WATERFORD: Stephen O'Keeffe; Calum Lyons, Conor Prunty, Noel Connors; Darragh Fives, Tadhg de Burca, Kevin Moran; Jamie Barron, Jack Prendergast; Pauric Mahony, Austin Gleeson, Maurice Shanahan; Mikey Kearney, Stephen Bennett, Tommy Ryan.
LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Mike Casey, Richie English; Dan Morrissey, Declan Hannon, Paddy O’Loughlin; Cian Lynch, William O’Donoghue; Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes, Tom Morrissey; Peter Casey, Aaron Gillane, Graeme Mulcahy.
Another interesting encounter between Clare and Tipperary is anticipated this weekend.
Clare v Tipperary, Cusack Park, 4pm
Cusack Park provides the ideal backdrop for what should be a particularly interesting latest addition to the Clare and Tipperary rivalry.
Tipperary have stitched a splendid two match winning sequence together by overcoming Cork and Waterford.
Clare, though, left Walsh Park armed with the full complement of points and are now braced for thre matches in quick succession.
Gerry O'Connor and Donal Moloney brought Clare to within a whisker of an All Ireland final last year and there is sufficient class to launch another lengthy adventure.
Diarmuid Ryan's development has been noteworthy, while the form of Tony Kelly and the returning Shane O'Donnell bodes well.
At the opposite end of the field Jason Forde, John McGrath, and John O'Dwyer have been in prolific form too.
CLARE: Donal Tuohy; Patrick O'Connor, David McInerney, Seadna Morey; Cathal Malone, Jack Browne, David Fitzgerald; Shane Golden, Colm Galvin; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, Diarmuid Ryan; Shane O'Donnell, John Conlon, Podge Collins.
TIPPERARY: Brian Hogan; Cathal Barrett, James Barry, Ronan Maher; Brendan Maher, Padraic Maher, Alan Flynn; Noel McGrath, Michael Breen; Jason Forde, John O'Dwyer, Patrick Maher; John McGrath, Seamus Callanan, Niall O'Meara.
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Carlow v Dublin, Netwatch Cullen Park, 3pm
Sean Moran's last gasp goal which forced a draw against Wexford ensures Dublin travel to Carlow believing a top three finish can be secured.
Kilkenny's second half display on the opening weekend hurt Dublin, but Mattie Kenny's charges produced a gutsy display when dividing the spoils with Wexford.
It was a peculiar game as Dublin hit the front, but a smart Wexford rally had the home team trailing by three in stoppage time at Parnell Park.
Moran's intervention means that Dublin remain very much involved in the race to earn a place in the All Ireland series.
Carlow caused Galway some bother, but Kilkenny struck early and often to ensure the second game wasn't as close.
Colm Bonnar did locate some positives with Carlow's second half efforts supplying a glimmer of hope. Christy Ring and Joe McDonagh Cup champions in the past two years, Carlow have travelled a considerable distance.
CARLOW: Brian Tracey; Kevin McDonald, Paul Doyle, Michael Doyle; Eoin Nolan, David English, Richard Coady; Jack Kavanagh, Sean Whelan; John M Nolan, Martin Kavanagh, Edward Byrne; James Doyle, Seamus Murphy, Chris Nolan.
