THE COMPLETION OF the 2016 Clare-Waterford hurling trilogy is the primary focus in the championship next weekend.
Four weeks after Clare’s victory in a breathless finish in the hurling league final replay against Waterford, the counties renew acquaintances at the Munster semi-final stage.
The reigning All-Ireland football champions are also out in action next weekend as Dublin notably travel to Nowlan Park for their Leinster opener.
We’re also going to get to see the reigning Leinster U21 hurling champions and the Ulster senior football champions in action this week.
On the hurling front there are three trophies up for grabs in Croke Park next Saturday while the prize of Leinster hurling semi-final spots is on offer in Tullamore and Mulligar on Sunday.
Here’s what’s in store.
Wednesday
Leinster
Bord Gáis Energy U21HC quarter-final
Wexford v Dublin, Innovate Wexford Park, 7.30pm, (Ref: Peter Burke, Kilkenny)
JFC semi-final
Kildare v Louth, St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, 7.30pm
Thursday
Leinster JFC semi-final
Longford v Wexford, Innovate Wexford Park, 7.30pm
Saturday
Leinster
SFC quarter-final
Dublin v Laois, Nowlan Park, 7pm, (Live: Sky Sports 3), (Ref: Ciaran Branagan, Down)
JFC final
Kilkenny v London, Nowlan Park, 5pm
Christy Ring Cup final
Antrim v Meath, Croke Park, 5.30pm, (Live TG4), (Ref: John O’Brien, Tipperary)
Nicky Rackard Cup final
Armagh v Mayo, Croke Park, 3.30pm, (Live TG4), (Ref: Johnny Murphy, Tipperary)
Lory Meagher Cup final
Louth v Sligo, Croke Park, 1.30pm, (Live TG4), (Ref: Mick Murtagh, Westmeath)
Sunday
Munster
SHC semi-final
Clare v Waterford, Semple Stadium, Thurles, 4pm, (Live RTÉ 1), (Ref: James Owens, Wexford)
IHC semi-final
Clare v Waterford, Semple Stadium, Thurles, 2pm
Leinster
SHC quarter-finals
Westmeath v Galway, TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, 3.30pm, (Ref: Diarmuid Kirwan, Cork)
Offaly v Laois, O’Connor Park, Tullamore, 3.30pm, (Ref: Johnny Ryan, Tipperary)
Ulster
SFC quarter-final
Monaghan v Down, Clones, 2pm, (Live RTÉ 1), (Ref: Conor Lane, Cork)
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