Joe McDonagh Final
Saturday
Kerry v Antrim, Croke Park, 5pm (Live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ Radio 1)
It's a repeat of the 2020 final where Antrim had a narrow two-point win. Indeed, Kerry, managed by former Waterford great Stephen Molumphy, are playing in their third final in a row.
There’s more than a title to play for in this one however, with the winners playing Cork in the next round of the Liam MacCarthy and the losers playing Wexford.
Interestingly, just when Tipperary people thought 2022 couldn’t get much worse, if Kerry win, Tipp will face Kerry in a play-off to decide who plays in next year’s Munster championship.
Kerry beat Antrim in the last round to reach the final, but Antrim will have different personnel on the field tomorrow and expect a different result.
Verdict: Antrim
Leinster Hurling Final
Saturday
Kilkenny v Galway, Croke Park, 7pm (Live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ Radio 1)
The handshake rematch. Every photographer with a press pass will be there for the post-match exchange between Henry Shefflin and Brian Cody. Before that, Kilkenny play Galway for the Leinster championship.
Brian Cody has won 17 titles as a manager, but to his credit, always appears one short of enough. This season, his team have had a mixed time in the round-robin, losing to Galway and Wexford, but pedigree is second to none of how to grow into summer.
Shefflin played against Galway 13 times in the championship, only losing on three occasions. The usual promise exists in the Tribesmen, but getting all of their talents to the surface is an annual challenge and Shefflin, the ninth Galway manager during Cody’s reign, has done this well to date.
Of their last five championship meetings, Galway have only lost on a single occasion, but tomorrow night in a Leinster final against a brooding Brian Cody and his team feels a stretch too far. The Cats to complete hat-trick of Leinster titles.
Verdict: Kilkenny
Munster Hurling Final
Sunday
Limerick v Clare, Semple Stadium, 4pm (Live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ Radio 1)
Semple Stadium will be full to bursting for the re-match between Clare and Limerick. Clare a tonic for the championship this year. For manager Brian Lohan, the smooth return of Peter Duggan and new roles for John Conlon and Shane O’Donnell have made a huge difference to the Banner.
With Tony Kelly continuing to perform his magic, they go to Thurles with strong confidence.
Limerick are still without Cian Lynch, but the list of wounded and suspended has been shrinking as the weeks go past and they will be close to full strength.
The teams were level 14 times in the epic drawn match in Ennis last month. The occasion on Sunday will probably be better suited to Limerick’s experience and they must be favourites to land a four-in-a-row in Munster, along with lifting the newly-named Mick Mackey Cup adding to their motivation.
Before they do, expect one hell of a contest and occasion.
Verdict: Limerick
Dónal Óg Cusack was speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland
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