Gaelic Games: So, they avoided Cork, but Galway now have to beat Kilkenny to progress any further in this year's All-Ireland hurling championship. That proved the most appetising quarter-final pairing after last night's draw in Croke Park, with Cork handed the slightly less daunting challenge of Limerick.
All four quarter-finals are set for the weekend of July 22-23rd, and the Galway-Kilkenny clash - a repeat of last year's semi-final, when Galway won a classic by 5-18 to 4-18 - will take centre stage. The winners are assured of a place in the semi-final - at which stage Cork's quest for three successive titles could already have been stopped in its tracks.
Limerick, however, will start as clear underdogs for their meeting with the reigning champions. The Munster quarter-final loss to Tipperary, followed by the heavy loss to Clare in the qualifiers, spelled the end of their management team, and while they appear to have bounced back with a win over Offaly a week ago, it remains to be seen how well Limerick rise to the challenge of Cork.
The two beaten provincial finalists - Wexford and Tipperary - had mixed fortunes. Wexford must regroup for the difficult task against Clare, who easily beat them 1-20 to 0-12 at the same stage a year ago. Tipperary can take some confidence from the fact they've already beaten Waterford in the Munster semi-final, though Waterford are sure to be a different prospect with players such as Eoin Kelly back and boosted by their fine win over Galway last Sunday week.
Round three of the football qualifiers also promises cliffhangers.
The pick of them is probably Meath against Laois. Laois ended the reign of the All-Ireland champions Tyrone on Saturday evening, but won't have time to savour that win as all four qualifier games are to be played this weekend.
Wexford, who got past Monaghan on Saturday, will be out for the third weekend in succession with a difficult assignment against Fermanagh - who eased past Clare. Longford will put their new-found reputation to the test against Derry. And Sligo against Westmeath is equally hard to call. Dates and venues for all eight ties will be decided this afternoon by the GAC.
Hurling Quarter-finals: Cork v Limerick; Kilkenny v Galway; Wexford v Clare: Tipperary v Waterford.
Football Qualifiers: Meath v Laois; Fermanagh v Wexford; Longford v Derry; Sligo v Westmeath.
