This is the start of it now.
The last few weekends have been the appetisers, this weekend is the main course.
Hurling has ruled the roost for the last few weeks and it has delivered more than its fair share of entertainment. The Munster hurling championship is watertight going into the last two rounds of fixtures and we’ve had more draws than we can count on one hand.
Indeed, so compact is the Munster round-robin table that each of the five teams can still conceivably go through, or get knocked out. You can view the various permutations right here.
This weekend will set the cat amongst the pigeons. It’s win or bust for Tipperary against Clare, while the Banner will also be in a spot of bother if they don’t pick up the two points here. It’s win or bust for Waterford against Limerick. Everything will be revealed by 4.00 on Sunday afternoon.
With thos games both throwing in at the same time, RTÉ had to make a decision between them, and they decided to set up stall in Semple Stadium.
Meanwhile in Leinster, the final pairing will be decided by the always entertaining meeting of Kilkenny and Wexford in Nowlan Park on Saturday. This will be televised on Sky Sports on Saturday evening.
The weekend’s hurling fixtures.
Saturday
Leinster round 5
Kilkenny v Wexford, Nowlan Park, 7pm – SKY
Galway v Dublin, Pearse Stadium, 7pm
Sunday
Munster round 4
Limerick v Waterford, Gaelic Grounds, 2.00
Tipperary v Clare, Semple Stadium, 2.00 (RTE)
On top of that, you’ve Joe McDonagh, Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard games all over the country.
Joe McDonagh Cup Round 5 – all on Saturday
Antrim v Kerry, Cushendall, 3.00
Carlow v Westmeath, Netwatch Cullen Park, 3.00
Meath v Laois, Pairc Tailteann, 3.00
Football
We’ve the added attraction of the football qualifiers along with some tasty provincial clashes.
There are eight football qualifiers taking place this weekend, with heavyweights Mayo and Tyrone in action there.
One qualifier game will be on tv, in Meath’s clash with Tyrone. On the Sunday, the only football game we will see is Dublin’s expected turkey shoot of Longford. While it would be impossible for RTÉ to broadcast Laois-Carlow – seeing as that Leinster semi throws in at the same time as the Munster hurling clashes, surely the meeting of Donegal and Down in Ulster will be a more competitive game.
Saturday
All-Ireland SFC qualifiers round 1
Wexford v Waterford, Innovate Wexford Park, 1.30
Derry v Kildare, Owenbeg, 3.00
Meath v Tyrone, Pairc Tailteann, 5.00 (SKY)
Limerick v Mayo, Gaelic Grounds, 6.00
Offaly v Antrim, Bord na Mona O’Connor Park, 6.00
Wicklow v Cavan, Joule Park, 6.00
Westmeath v Armagh, TEG Cusack Park, 7.00
Sunday
Leinster semis
Laois v Carlow, Croke Park, 2.00
Dublin v Longford, Croke Park, 4.00 (RTE)
Ulster semi
Donegal v Down, Clones, 4.00 (BBC, deferred)
Qualifier round 1
London v Louth, Ruislip, 2.00
