HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHBOX

Carlow Dublin

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Netwatch Cullen Park, 6pm EVENTS were going along predicted lines as Dublin trailed by five late on against Wexford last Sunday before two injury time goals salvaged a draw. The question is whether that late raid has masked their deficiencies or can they kick on now and make something of their season?

They travelled to Carlow for a preliminary quarter-final last year and struggled for much of the game before pulling away and Tom Mullally will have identified this fixture as a possible scalp.

They showed enough against Galway to worry Dublin.

VERDICT: Dublin

Galway v Kilkenny

Tomorrow, Salthill, 2pm (RTE) WITH the novelty of Henry Shefflin squaring up against his native county, firstly in the shape of his former manager, Brian Cody, and then his ex-teammate Derek Lyng, having worn off by now, there may be an element of shadow boxing here. It’s expected that they will meet in the Leinster final regardless of the result.

It certainly wouldn’t be in Kilkenny’s nature to take a step back once the ball is thrown in, but having suffered a number of injuries in the facile win over Antrim, Lyng may err on the side of caution.

VERDICT: Galway

Cork v Clare

Tom., Pairc Ui C, 4pm (GAAGO)

WHATEVER happens, it won’t be over for whoever loses this, if anyone, but they’ll be on the brink and a defeat of a certain kind could render the situation irretrievable.

Although the round robin format is a recent phenomenon, only once have Cork ever played at home to Clare in the competition, back in 2018 when they scored a five-point win, with their ‘home’ tie two years ago shifted to Thurles, when Brian Lohan’s (inset) men won by two.

With home advantage and a less traumatic defeat to process from last weekend than Clare, Cork get the nod.

VERDICT: Cork

Antrim v Wexford

Corrigan Park, 3pm (GAAGO) THERE was optimism around Antrim coming into the Championship after clearing up injuries and getting some key players back, with Eoghan Campbell (left) even talking up the possibility of a Leinster final appearance. But a 32-point humbling against Kilkenny last Sunday has put them firmly on their back.

Wexford won’t be feeling too good about themselves either after letting a commanding position slip against Dublin in injury time six days ago and Keith Rossiter knows they can’t afford any more slips before facing Galway and Kilkenny.

VERDICT: Wexford

Limerick v Tipperary Tomorrow, Gaelic G, 4pm (RTE)

TIPPERARY have drawn the short straw by sitting out last weekend before travelling to face the game’s No.1 side with something of a point to prove after a stuttering display against Clare. Tipperary are winless in their last five

SHC encounters with Limerick and haven’t beaten them in the Gaelic Grounds since 2015, while their poor display against Clare in the League semi-final has left a bit of a stench ahead of the Championship.

They’re better than that, but not by so much that they’ll lower Limerick’s colours.