WITH THE PROVINCIAL championships wrapped up, both Kilkenny and Limerick are celebrating.
Five-in-a-row completed by Kilkenny in Leinster and six-in-a-row wrapped up by Limerick in Munster.
The focus now shifts to the All-Ireland hurling series with the picture clearer for the rest of the summer.
Next Saturday will see the prelminary quarter-finals take place in Tullamore, before Dublin and Clare must pick themselves up for the quarter-finals on Saturday 22 June.
Kilkenny will have a Saturday night fixture for the All-Ireland semi-finals, with Limerick in the Sunday afternoon slot.
Here’s the full list of what’s in store.
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Saturday 15 June
All-Ireland senior hurling preliminary quarter-finals
- Offaly v Cork, Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore, Time TBC.
- Laois v Wexford, Laois Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, Time TBC.
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Saturday 22 June
All-Ireland senior hurling quarter-finals
- Dublin v Offaly/Cork
- Clare v Laois/Wexford
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Saturday 6 July
All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final
- Kilkenny v Quarter-final winner
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Sunday 7 July
All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final
- Limerick v Quarter-final winner
* Semi-final subject for provincial winners not meeting defeated provincial finalists, avoiding repeat pairings where feasible.
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Sunday 21 July
All-Ireland senior hurling final
Limerick again
Pretty rough on Offaly winning the McDonagh and as consequence facing the tougher opponents. Hard to fancy anyone other than Limerick. I said it to myself the minute after they won the All-Ireland last season. All them injured men returning this time only makes them stronger!
Laois will give Wexford a rattle. Big mental defeat for Clare today. Joe McDonagh competition is strong which shouldn’t be changed. The 2nd tier football competition could learn from it and only have 12 teams playing for Sam Maguire, relegate the rest.
@Alan: Doubt it. Expect Wexford to beat them well. The Joe Mcdonagh is dreadful standard. It’s competitive but that’s not the same as strong. You have Munster and Killkenny. Forget about the rest. They are miles off.
@Ray Ridge: give over you know it all!! Arrogance pouring out of your veins
@Dan Delaney: He’s not wrong, name another team outside of munster or Kilkenny with any hope of winning. I’d be absolutely gobsmacked if it isn’t cork, clare, limerick or kilkenny.
2 good semis to look forward too. Top 4 in country. Limerick v Clare and Killkenny v Clare.
@Ray Ridge: Limerick v Cork and Killkenny v Clare.
I think Wexford can snare Clare assuming they beat Laois. Cork vs limerick should be good too assuming cork beat offaly.
I think most hurling fans would have predicted a Kilkenny vs Limerick final at the start of the year and it is still looking likely at this stage of the season.
I think if that happens Kilkenny will put limerick to the pin of their collar but limerick will prevail.
I do agree Clare will struggle from today, expect Wexford to win that. Kilkenny got no match yesterday and that’s not what they wanted.
Cork could be dangerous but experience on the big occasion will cost them.
It’s Corks year, Kiely and the old boys are going back to the hurling wilderness as the JP era is coming to a close.
Unreal team since 2018 and without doubt the best team so far this century.
Limerick have been an unbelievable team since 2018 but their fans can focus on booking their summer holidays from July 7th and all summers going forward.
Twas great to have Limerick enjoy a run of success as it freshened the hurling up.
Hopefully Offaly can carry on the baton from Limerick and put it up to the traditional counties.