Cats and Tribe unchanged as ‘Super 8s’ groups take shape

KILKENNY and Galway are both unchanged ahead of tomorrow’s mouth-watering Leinster SHC replay in the unusual surroundings of Semple Stadium (3.0).

Fireworks are expected in Thurles as the pair renew acquaintances with tonight’s Croke Park concert of singer Michael Bublé ruling out a replay at GAA HQ.

Cats boss Brian Cody – chasing his 16th Leinster title – keeps Richie Hogan and Colin Fennelly in reserve once again, while Micheál Donoghue has also kept the same personnel as the reigning All-Ireland champions go in search of back-to-back provincial crowns.

The pairings for next week’s All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals will also be revealed with the winners of today’s preliminary quarter-finals (Carlow v Limerick and Westmeath v Wexford) joining the beaten provincial finalists (Munster runners-up Clare and the losers of Galway/Kilkenny).

It’s also a busy weekend on the football front as the final participants in this year’s ‘Super 8s’ will be confirmed with provincial winners Dublin, Kerry, Galway and Donegal already through.

Roscommon face Armagh (3.0) and Cork meet Tyrone (5.0) in an O’Moore Park doubleheader today, while Kildare clash with Fermanagh in Páirc Tailteann this evening (7.0). The other Round 4 qualifier tie pits Monaghan versus Laois tomorrow, also in Navan (2.0).