On a wet start to the day across Kilkenny and Carlow, let’s take a look at some of the headlines crossing KCLR’s sports desk.
Beginning with Gaelic Games and tickets for this weekend’s Kilkenny junior and senior hurling championship semi-finals are on sale and they’re not just online.
Much like the inter-county setup, tickets for both Saturday and Sunday’s double-headers in UPMC Nowlan Park are available now from local Centra and SuperValu outlets, a great move for those having issues picking up tickets online. It’s still very much tickets in advance but you’ll be able to get yours at a shop near you before this weekend.
The junior semi-finals see Tullogher Rosbercon take on Dicksboro while Windgap play St. Lachtains, both of those games live on air here on Saturday. Sunday’s senior semi-finals see Bennettsbridge and O’Loughlin Gaels meet at 1.15pm while the Village take on defending champions Ballyhale Shamrocks from 3.15pm.
Camogie
While Kilkenny are getting ready for their championship semi-finals this weekend, it’s all done and dusted in Carlow with the countdown now on to Myshall’s foray into the Leinster championships as they sealed an incredible 24th consecutive senior county title at the weekend.
Speaking on last night’s Camán Caint camogie podcast, Myshall’s Kate Nolan couldn’t reveal much about why they keep winning on the home front, but suggested it comes down to one simple ingredient – that winning feeling.
You can hear Kate’s full interview and get a full preview of all of this weekend’s Kilkenny Camogie action on this week’s Camán Caint, available now wherever you do your podcast listening or listen below.
Schools action
It’s a busy day of schools action on the hurling and football front with a lot of Leinster post-primary action in both Kilkenny and Carlow.
While the weather might have a part to play yet given the wet start to proceedings, Presentation De La Salle Bagenalstown, Borris Vocational School, Coláiste Abhainn Rí and Kilkenny CBS are among those Leinster junior and senior action later today.
Powering on
One month on from turning professional, Kilkenny’s rising star of the golf world Mark Power says a lot of doors have opened for him following his jump from the amateur ranks.
In an interview you can read here later this morning, the 23-year-old Kilkenny native says it’s been a “hectic but very enjoyable time” in the four weeks since his Walker Cup victory.
A home pro debut at the Horizon Irish Open followed with Power finishing up best of the Irish at -8 for last week’s Alfred Dunhill Links championship.
Athletics
In athletics, the 2023 Kilkenny county cross county juniors and over 40s masters will take place this coming Friday evening. The Albatross Sports Grounds are the host venue in Rosbercon with racing underway from 8pm. Club athletes form Under 17 to Under 20 can compete in the junior grade.
Rugby
Carlow’s Chloe Crotty is the sole local representative on the South East U18s team as they take on Metro in the first round of the Sarah Robinson Cup this evening. Kick off at Gorey RFC is at 8pm.
We’ll be looking ahead to this weekend’s Leinster League action and the big one between Ireland and New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup later this week. The Irish team will be named later today.
And a reminder that nominations for the September round of the David Buggy Motors Kilkenny Sport Star Award are currently open, running until this weekend. Submit yours here.
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