Carlow and Limerick are back on the road to Croker this Saturday.
As it happens, Carlow have just come from there – taking the first Joe McDonagh Cup with a comprehensive win over Westmeath on Sunday last.
It’s the first time the two sides will have met in the senior hurling championship. They’ve met previously in 2011 and 2013, Limerick coming out on top in both occasions in the National Hurling League. That 2011 date was in Netwatch Cullen Park where the sides meet his Saturday at 7pm.
Limerick found their way into their All-Ireland Preliminary Quarter-Final against Carlow having finished third in the Munster round robin after winning two, drawing one and losing one of their four games.
Road To Croker: Limerick (Munster SHC)
- Limerick 1-23, Tipperary 2-14
- Limerick 0-28, Cork 1-25
- Limerick 2-26, Waterford 1-16
- Clare 0-26, Limerick 0-15
- Cork 1-25, Limerick 0-28
Road To Croker: Carlow (Joe McDonagh Cup)
- Carlow 0-21, Kerry 0-18
- Antrim 2-16, Carlow 0-19
- Carlow 0-21, Meath 1-14
- Carlow 2-25, Laois 2-15
- Carlow 3-21, Westmeath 1-21
- Carlow 2-26, Westmeath 1-24 (Final)
While quietly confident, Carlow recognise their meeting with Limerick will be a huge test this Saturday. It’s a short turnaround from Sunday’s victory and celebrations to a crunch championship game, though having come through the early heat of the day on Sunday, the later throw-in time of 7pm may favour Colm Bonnar’s men.
The winners of Saturday’s fixture will play the winner of Kilkenny and Galway’s meeting on Sunday, progressing to the quarter final stages of this year’s All-Ireland senior hurling championship.
The game will not be televised, but we’ve got full commentary and analysis on air, online and in app this Saturday at 7 with thanks to the Step House Hotel, Borris.