LIBERTY INSURANCE SENIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY 4 JUNE
Group 1: Offaly v Galway, St Brendan’s Park, 2.30pm
This is a must-win game for Offaly if they wish to reach the quarter-finals again this year, having suffered defeats against both Limerick and Wexford in their opening matches so far.
National League champions Galway will be looking to maintain their winning start having got their campaign underway in impressive fashion with a high-profile win over reigning All-Ireland champions Cork a fortnight ago.
Verdict: Galway
Group 1: Wexford v Limerick, Innovate Wexford Park, 5pm
Wexford come into this tie on a high having started their campaign with a comprehensive victory over Offaly last weekend, while Limerick will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways after their defeat to Cork last week, having started the campaign brightly with a win against Offaly in the opening round.
When these two sides met in the National League, it was Limerick who ran out as impressive winners on the day, something which Wexford will be looking to atone for.
The match will be the curtain-raiser to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship clash between Wexford and Cork in Innovate Wexford Park, which should ensure a bumper crowd behind the home side.
Verdict: Wexford
Group 2: Derry v Kilkenny, Swatragh, 2.30pm
Derry will be looking for a repeat performance from last weekend’s encounter with Tipperary, which they lost by just a single point, in what was a high-scoring and hard-fought match. They will also be looking to put in a better display than when the two sides met in the National League, on a day when Kilkenny ran out convincing winners.
Kilkenny are looking to make up for the heartbreak of last year’s narrow All-Ireland final loss to Cork and to go one further in 2015 and have begun this campaign in impressive fashion with wins against Dublin and Clare so far.
Verdict: Kilkenny
Group 2: Dublin v Tipperary, O’Moore Park, 5pm
Dublin will be looking to put their first points on the board having lost their opening match at the hands of what is proving to be an impressive Kilkenny side.
Tipperary, meanwhile, will be looking to maintain their winning ways following their narrow win over Derry last weekend, but will need to shore up their defence to hold up a Dublin side that impressed during the National League campaign.
This match is a curtain-raiser to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship clash between Dublin and Laois in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise.
Verdict: Draw
