GAELIC GAMES:The best eight teams in the country. Four matches. Two days. One stage. This weekend could be hurling's equivalent to a music festival, only without the crazy ticket prices, mud, and long queues for beer.

Croke Park hasn't known a weekend like it - not in hurling terms - and the GAA are expecting a combined attendance of over 100,000. At stake is a place in the All-Ireland semi-final, and with that comes the guarantee of classic championship hurling.

It has, however, come about partly through tragic circumstances, and the outcome of the Kilkenny-Galway quarter-final this afternoon will no doubt be kept firmly in context. Originally set for last Sunday, it was postponed following the death of Vanessa McGarry, wife of Kilkenny goalkeeper James McGarry.

That game (4.0) forms the headline act this afternoon, preceded by Tipperary against Wexford (2.0), and also the All-Ireland minor hurling quarter-final between Kilkenny and Antrim (12.15).

Tomorrow's programme is possibly more enticing, and features Limerick against Clare (2.0) and Waterford against Cork (4.0), along with another minor curtain-raiser, Cork against Galway (12.15).

Never before have all four All-Ireland quarter-finals been staged in Croke Park on consecutive days, nor will they again, as from next year the championship format is further revised with the Munster and Leinster winner progressing straight into the semi-finals. Although don't be surprised if that changes again.

This hurling-fest, then, is not to be missed.

"It is a unique weekend for hurling," explained GAA press officer Fergal McGill. "And we are looking at a record attendance for the four quarter-finals. Our indications are there will be between 35,000-40,000 for Saturday's game, and up to 70,000 for Sunday. And that would be up on what we've seen over the previous two years since the format was changed to four quarter-finals."

Last year's games drew a combined attendance of 80,000, and in 2005, when last played in Croke Park alone, drew 44,000 and 55,000 - although they were played over separate weekends. The main attraction this weekend, it seems, is the meeting of Waterford and Cork - a repeat of last month's dramatic Munster semi-final showdown.

"Definitely those two teams have produced some outstanding games of hurling in the last few years," added McGill, "and there is a lot of neutral interest in that game as well. There is also a real resurgence of interest in Limerick this year, and Clare's interest in the championship has been reawakened a bit as well.

"So Sunday will definitely draw the bigger crowd, because of the traditional Sunday factor as well. Saturday's games are a little different in that there's certainly no novelty about Kilkenny being there, and there's a lot of uncertainty about Galway."

Galway's uncertainty, it seems, is partly based on manager Ger Loughnane's constant alternation of team selections, having used 26 players in the three qualifier matches to date. Only three players - goalkeeper Colm Callanan, centre back John Lee, and wing forward Iarla Tannian - have started in the same position. The only thing certain about this afternoon's line-up is that it will be Galway's first choice as they are injury-free.

Unlike most music festivals, tickets for the hurling double-bills are reasonably priced, with terrace tickets costing €20, stand tickets €35 for adults and €5 for juveniles. Students and senior citizens can receive a refund of €20 on Cusack and Davin Stand tickets on production of photographic ID at Block D of the Cusack Stand.

Tickets will be available today and tomorrow from 11am at the following four outlets: North Circular Road/Fitzgibbon St Junction (opposite Gills Pub); Ballybough, under the railway bridge; Bishop's Palace, Drumcondra Road; and Binn's Bridge, outside Martin Properties.

But the weekend is not all about hurling, with two important football matches up also for this decision this evening in the remaining round three qualifiers. Laois play Derry at Breffni Park and Donegal play Monaghan at Omagh, both games with a 7pm throw-in - and the winners going into the hat for tomorrow evening's All-Ireland football quarter-final draw.

The four provincial winners - Dublin, Kerry, Tyrone and Sligo - await, along with Meath and Cork, although Tyrone manager Mickey Harte was yesterday critical of the uncertainty surrounding his next opposition.

"Maybe it's something that could be looked into in the future," said Harte, "that a line of engagement could be drawn up so we would know that we'd be going in a certain direction, rather than having it so open, that you could meet virtually anybody. It could be pre-determined to some extent, for example as Ulster champions we would meet A or B, rather than just anybody. I think that would be more helpful."

It won't be just anybody, however, as Tyrone will be kept apart from Monaghan, should they win, and likewise Dublin can't play Laois again, should they progress. But other than that anything can happen - including, some say inevitably, Dublin against Meath.

Today

All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals (at Croke Park): Wexford v Tipperary, 2.0; Kilkenny v Galway, 4.0

(both live RTÉ Two).

All-Ireland SFC qualifiers: Round three (Extra time if necessary): Monaghan v Donegal, Omagh, 7.0; Laois v Derry, Cavan, 7.0.

Tomorrow

All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals (at Croke Park): Limerick v Clare, 2.0; Waterford v Cork, 4.0

(both live RTÉ Two).