Saturday, April 27

Leinster SHC round 2

Carlow v Dublin, Netwatch Cullen Park, 6pm

Carlow gave Dublin plenty of problems when the teams met in last year’s preliminary All-Ireland quarter-final at this venue.

The home team led at half-time in that match and were only burned off when Dublin hit two second-half goals.

After performing creditably last weekend against Galway they’ll fancy their chances of having another good cut off Micheál Donoghue’s team if they can get a decent supply of ball in to Martin Kavanagh and Chris Nolan.

Dublin will be feeling pretty good about themselves after snatching a draw against Wexford in the first round from the jaws of defeat courtesy of two late goals.

This game is likely to be tight for the first three quarters of the contest, but Dublin’s greater quality and athleticism should come to the fore thereafter.

CARLOW: Brian Tracey; Paul Doyle, Dion Wall, Niall Bolger; Jack Kavanagh, Kevin McDonald, Fiachra Fitzpatrick; Ciaran Whelan, Richard Coady; Jon Nolan, Chris Nolan, Martin Kavanagh; Conor Kehoe, John Michael Nolan, Paddy Boland. Subs: Ciaran Abbey, Tony Lawlor, Jack McCullagh, Fiach O’Toole, Conor Lawlor, Sean Joyce, Scott Treacy, Jake Doyle, Evan Kealy, Lorcan Doyle, Donagh Murphy.

DUBLIN: Seán Brennan; John Bellew, Paddy Smyth, Paddy Doyle; Chris Crummey, Conor Donohoe, Eoghan O’Donnell; Mark Grogan, Conor Burke; Ronan Hayes, Donal Burke, Brian Hayes; Danny Sutcliffe, Cian O’Sullivan, Sean Currie. Subs: Eddie Gibbons, James Madden, Daire Gray, Seán Gallagher, Eddie Moran, Paul Crummey, Darragh Power, Dara Purcell, Fergal Whiteley, Jake Malone, Colin Currie

Antrim v Wexford, Corrigan Park, 3pm – GAAGO

Wexford are surely still kicking themselves after the concession of two late goals against Dublin last week saw them draw a game they looked sure to win.

They need to refocus for this challenge though because Antrim are always a tough nut to crack in Corrigan Park.

You can be sure too that Darren Gleeson will get a reaction from his players after accusing them of lacking desire and work-ethic in their heavy defeat to Kilkenny last time out.

It was a poor performance by the Saffrons and Gleeson has rung the changes with Phelim Duffin, Gerard Walsh, Conor Boyd and Keelan Molloy coming into the starting XV against an unchanged Wexford team.

We can expect and improved showing from Antrim, but if Wexford play to their full potential they should win this.

ANTRIM: Ryan Elliott; Niall O’Connor, Ryan McGarry, Paddy Burke; Gerard Walsh, Conor Boyd, Conal Bohill; Seaan Elliott, Eoghan Campbell; Nigel Elliot, Keelan Molloy, James McNaughton; Conal Cunning, Niall McKenna, Conor McCann. Subs: Tiernan Smyth, Phelim Duffin, Rory McCloskey, Stephen Rooney, Enda Og McGarry, Fred McCurry, Michael Bradley, Cormac McKeown, Aodhan O’Brien, Rian McMullan, Joseph Mc Laughlin

WEXFORD: Mark Fanning; Shane Reck, Conor Foley, Niall Murphy; Simon Donohoe, Damien Reck, Matthew O’Hanlon; Conor Hearne, Kevin Foley; Liam Og McGovern, Lee Chin, Cathal Dunbar; Richie Lawlor, Seamus Casey, Rory O’Connor. Subs: Aaron Duggan, Eoin Ryan, Conor McDonald, Mikie Dwyer, Darragh Carley, Cian Byrne, Conor Devitt, Jack Doran, Tomás Kinsella, Jack O’Connor, Joe O’Connor.

Sunday, April 28

Leinster SHC round 2

Galway v Kilkenny, Pearse Stadium, 2pm – RTE

Injuries to key players have weakened Kilkenny ahead of this crunch Leinster SHC showdown with Galway in Pearse Stadium.

Eoin Murphy, Eoin Cody, and Adrian Mullen all went off injured in last week’s victory over Antrim and aren’t part of the match-day panel for this game. They’re three key players for the Cats and their loss will be felt.

Aidan Tallis replaces Murphy in goals, while Billy Ryan and Owen Wall come in for Cody and Mullen. Wall scored 2-2 off the bench in that win over Antrim and will relish this opportunity.

Galway have named a strong looking team with Conor Whelan and David Burke coming into the starting XV after featuring off the bench in the win over Carlow last time out.

The Tribesmen will surely be fired up to make amends for last year’s heart-breaking Leinster Final defeat to the Cats, and with an impactful bench that includes prodigal son Jonathan Glynn, Evan Niland, Jason Flynn, Joseph Cooney, and Donal O’Shea, you’d fancy them here.

GALWAY: Darach Fahy; Jack Grealish, Daithí Burke, Fintan Burke; Seán Linnane, Padraic Mannion, Cianan Fahy; Ronan Glennon, David Burke; Gavin Lee, Tom Monaghan, Brian Concannon; Conor Whelan, Conor Cooney, Cathal Mannion. Subs: Eanna Murphy, Darren Morrissey, Adrian Touhey, Gearóid McInerney, Tiernan Killeen, John Cooney, Donal O’Shea, Evan Niland, Joseph Cooney, Jason Flynn, Jonathan Glynn.

KILKENNY: Aidan Tallis; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Paddy Deegan, Shaen Murphy; Cian Kenny, Richie Reid; Martin Keoghan, John Donnelly, Tom Phelan; Billy Ryan, TJ Reid, Owen Wall. Subs: Dean Mason, Conor Delaney, Jordan Molloy, Darragh Corcoran, Killian Doyle, Conor Fogarty, Gearóid Dunne, Billy Drennan, Luke Hogan, Harry Shine, Liam Blanchfield.