Reigning All-Ireland champions Ballyhale Shamrocks will take on St. Thomas’ on Sunday 23 January at Semple Stadium, Thurles in the AIB All-Ireland senior club hurling championship semi-final.
The game will be the second semi-final of the day with a 3.30pm throw-in time for the meeting of the Galway county champions and Kilkenny’s four-in-a-row county championship winning side.
The first semi-final will see Ulster champions Slaughtneil go head-to-head with the winner of the Munster final between Waterford’s Ballygunner and Limerick champions Kilmallock at 1.30pm on the same day.
Following a fourth consecutive county final victory in October, this time defeating O’Loughlin Gaels, James O’Connor’s side ventured into the Leinster championship for the first time in two years.
A quarter-final defeat of Mount Leinster Rangers was followed up by a nervy extra-time win against Offaly side St. Ryanagh’s before they sealed a third provincial crown in as many attempts with an impressive display against Laois champions Clough/ Ballacolla in Croke Park last month.
The Shamrocks are going in search of an historic third All-Ireland title in-a-row having successfully defended the crown that they had reclaimed in 2019 with another victory in 2020.