All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals: All You Need to Know
SATURDAY
All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals
Dublin v Limerick, Croke Park, 4pm
Galway v Tipperary, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 6.15pm
ONLINE
Live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.
TV
Live coverage of both quarter-finals on RTÉ2 with coverage starting at 3.30pm with highlights on The Saturday Game from 9.30pm.
RADIO
WEATHER
While warm sunshine is expected, a scattering of showers will occur too, some heavy and possibly thundery. Top temperatures of 19 to 25 degrees, warmest across the eastern half of the country, all in a light to moderate southwest wind.
For more, visit met.ie.
Six becomes four as the All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals take stage on Saturday.
Last year's champions Clare weathered a quarter-final showdown against Wexford and the presence of some big hitters – most notably Limerick – ensures that there's plenty of focus on the two encounters on Saturday.
An unfamiliar Treaty route
Dublin are aiming to end a 12-year wait for an All-Ireland semi-final spot with their last quarter-final victory actually coming two years earlier when they bettered this weekend's opponents Limerick thanks to a Ryan O'Dwyer first-half hat-trick. Back in 2011, the wait for a last-four spot had been somewhat longer – 63 years in fact – but how they would love to replicate the highs of the Anthony Daly era and return to the latter stages.
Nickie Quaid and an 18-year-old Declan Hannon, who finished with a handsome 0-11, tasted defeat that day against a Dublin side that were fancied to build on a league success earlier in the season, even though star attacker Conal Keaney was ruled out days beforehand after a bad motorbike collision, but any thoughts of a repeat result appear fanciful, to put it mildly.
If there is to be a shock, goals are required – although their Leinster campaign showed that Dublin at least know where the net is.
They hit three goals in four of their five games with Offaly the only side to keep them to less as the Dubs edged a 1-25 to 2-19 opener. It was three again in the preliminary quarter-final win over Kildare last week and Niall Ó Ceallacháin's side will probably need as many to stay competitive here.
Those 16 goals have been shared across eight players with Sean Currie leading the way with four while Ronan Hayes has plundered three.
It's an attack that will also hope to have Dónal Burke involved in some capacity. The Na Fianna man was part of the squad against the Lilywhites and although he didn't come on, he was warming up. Still no sign of Danny Sutcliffe though who picked up an injury during the Leinster campaign.
Limerick enter the game with their fallibility levels really being put through the ringer in their recent clashes with Cork.
Dents in the Green Machine apparently after the Rebels ended their five-in-a-row hopes last year, unbeatable after a 16-point destruction of the same opposition in Munster this year before the question marks returned after the provincial final penalty shoot-out loss to Pat Ryan's side.
Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast on Thursday, Jackie Tyrrell suggested that their aura has dissipated somewhat, although he still thinks they're operating at a really high level.
"I don't think that mental baggage that might have been there before when it comes to 60 minutes and Limerick turn the screw, I don't think that's probably as strong as it was before," he said.
Unsurprisingly, manager John Kiely has taken it all in his stride, talking about the side dusting themselves down and going a different route with their last quarter-final coming in 2018. Cian Lynch was preaching similar at a media gig last week – just one more knock-out game on their plotted path to the top.
Not one player in the Limerick dressing room has a championship win against Dublin – Quaid joining the panel a year after their last success in the dramatic 2009 season – with Dublin winning that 2011 quarter-final as well as a 2015 qualifier. It's hard to see that statistic staying the same at Croke Park with the winner set to face Kilkenny.
Tipp aiming to build on season of goodwill
Galway have dominated this rivalry in recent times, winning four of the last five championship meetings, but there has undoubtedly been a stir in the Premier County this season and this is the match to show that in spades.
A recent All-Ireland Under-20 crown has only added enthusiasm to a 2025 run that has brought a league final and a Munster campaign that contained just one defeat, after Darragh McCarthy was sent off at the throw-in at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
It's no secret that in recent seasons Liam Cahill has felt let down by the support that has backed the team, but if a genuine shot at a semi-final against Cork doesn't bring them out now, then something is seriously wrong.
Tipp hit 3-32 in their facile win over Laois last week, but they could have had half a dozen goals realistically with over-complication, and the woodwork, denying them.
A dozen players got on the scoresheet, a nice confidence-booster to carry into this, with Willie Connors excelling at midfield. Jason Forde nabbed 2-04.
Crucially, they came through it injury free and Eoghan Connolly is set to return to the squad for Saturday's game having been held back last weekend.
Galway, meanwhile, have been quite the conundrum this season,
Take out their two games with Kilkenny and it's been pretty positive, but over the two games the Cats managed a combined winning tally of 20 points, and it would have been much more only for a spirited final quarter in the Leinster d ecider at Croke Park.
It's that spell of 1-06 without reply late on to open up the possibility of a stunning comeback that will give Micheál Donoghue some solace. When they're on it, they're still one of the best about – the problem is doing it consistently for 70 minutes.
They could be without full-back Fintan Burke for this clash with a knee injury – Darren Morrissey likely to replace him - while goalkeeper Eanna Murphy had to retire injured at half-time in the Leinster final.
Burke was on media duties this week and said that Leinster loss has been parked.
"The sooner we can get over the last game, the better. You spend a day or two looking back and trying to figure out what went wrong and what you can improve on," he said.
"Then, the games are coming so fast, you don't have time to ponder. You're back in training and looking forward to the next day."
This, of course, is a rivalry that hasn't been short on spice over the decades. With plenty on the line, there could be plenty of physicality on show.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Jack O'Connor & Kerry receive badly needed boost before Cavan test while John Kiely's Limerick ready for Dublin
KERRY are boosted by the return of some key men for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-final with Cavan. Seán O'Shea, Diarmuid O'Connor and Brian Ó Beaglaioch are all back in the starting line-up after being sidelined for Advertisement Paudie Clifford, who was also absent last time, is named among the subs for the visit of the Breffni to Killarney. But Paul Geaney is still out and Tony Brosnan is another notable player missing. The team shows five changes in total as Brosnan, Micheál Burns, Killian Spillane, Mark O'Shea and Tadhg Morley are replaced by the returning trio, Seán O'Brien and Conor Geaney. Dublin, meanwhile, have kept faith with Advertisement Read More On GAA Cian Hernon has been included in the Galway team for Sunday's trip to Down. Conor Flaherty also retains his place in goal. The In hurling, Dónal Burke has been passed fit enough to be named on the Dublin bench for tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final against Limerick. There are two changes to the starting side from the win over Kildare, with Conor Burke and Andrew Dunphy given the nod as Paddy Dunleavy and John Hetherton drop to the bench. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football Comment Treaty boss John Kiely has named an unchanged team for the Croke Park tie but there is one amendment to his list of subs. Fergal O'Connor is included instead of Shane O'Brien, who came off the bench and fired 1-2 in the Munster final penalty-shootout defeat to Cork. 'Just in time for Father's Day' - Dublin GAA legends welcome the birth of precious baby daughter KERRY (SFC v Cavan): S Ryan; P Murphy, J Foley, T O'Sullivan; B Ó Beaglaoich, M Breen, G White; J O'Connor, S O'Brien; D O'Connor, S O'Shea, G O'Sullivan; D Clifford, C Geaney, D Geaney. DUBLIN (SFC v Cork): S Cluxton; T Clancy, S MacMahon, D Byrne; B Howard, J Small, L Gannon; P Ó Cofaigh Byrne, C Kilkenny; K McGinnis, S Bugler, N Scully; P Small, C O'Callaghan, C Costello. Advertisement GALWAY (SFC v Down): C Flaherty; J McGrath, S Fitzgerald, L Silke; D McHugh, S Kelly, C Hernon; P Conroy, J Maher; C Darcy, M Tierney, C McDaid; R Finnerty, S Walsh, M Thompson LIMERICK (SHC v Dublin): N Quaid; S Finn, D Morrissey, M Casey; D Byrnes, K Hayes, B Nash; A English, W O'Donoghue; G Hegarty, C Lynch, T Morrissey; A Gillane, A O'Connor, D Reidy. 1 Jack O'Connor saw his team lose by nine points in a shock upset last time out DUBLIN (SHC v Limerick): S Brennan; J Bellew, P Smyth, C McHugh; P Doyle, C Crummey, A Dunphy; C Burke, B Hayes; R McBride, F Whitely, C O'Sullivan; S Currie, R Hayes, D Ó Dúlaing. Advertisement
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
The Lions are in a no-lose position against Argentina, provided they don't actually lose
British & Irish Lions v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, Friday, 8pm – Live on TG4 & Sky Sports Action A bad dress rehearsal doesn't necessarily begat a bad performance, much less a good one, and the grim British & Irish Lions expedition to New Zealand 20 years ago cannot be attributed to the soporific 25-all draw between the Lions and Argentina in Cardiff. But it sure as hell proved to be an ominous portent of things to come. Jonny Wilkinson's sixth penalty of the night in the eighth minute of injury-time salvaged a modicum of pride for the Lions, whose head coach Clive Woodward rested captain Brian O'Driscoll and others, with Lawrence Dallaglio on the bench. Still, to put that draw in context, Los Pumas were missing 25 players through club commitments and their inexperienced side, captained by current head coach Felipe Contepomi , were given little or no hope of causing a famous upset. Two decades on, the Lions play a match in Ireland for the first time ever in what is, again, primarily a moneymaking venture which is understood to be generating around €4 million for the brand, with the last of the remaining tickets (priced from €148) selling out on Thursday. Ultimately, Friday evening's non-capped international, though historic, will be a footnote in history. READ MORE So, once more, the Lions are in something of a no-lose position – well, provided they don't actually lose – for this is again a scratch side missing 15 of its squad due to club commitments and injuries, including 10 from bulk suppliers Leinster. Even so, the presence of Maro Itoje as captain adds to the desire for these Lions to set a stronger benchmark than was the case in 2005, not least as his partnership with Tadhg Beirne could be a Test partnership in the making, as well as roommates. There's plenty of power and ball-carrying ballast in the front and back rows, the Northampton/England halfback pairing of Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith will have fond memories of their last visit here seven weeks ago, and ditto their Saints team-mates Tommy Freeman, who looks a likely Test starter, and Henry Pollock, for whom an impact role could well be a pointer to the Test series. Lions captain Maro Itoje during Thursday's session at the Aviva Stadium. Photograph:Any backline with Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu doubling up in midfield shouldn't be lacking in oomph. The general expectation is that they will ultimately duel for the Test 12 jersey, although if they become a combination you'd wonder who'd fill that role in the midweek games. Either way, this looks liken being a searching examination for the 23-year-old Pampas centre Justo Piccardo – who made his Test debut at the Aviva Stadium against Ireland last November off the bench – wearing the 12 jersey donned by Contepomi in Cardiff 20 years ago. Two decades on, one of the greatest overseas players to ever decorate Irish provincial rugby is back in familiar terrain, Contepomi having assembled a makeshift Pumas squad for their first game and first week's training in seven months, whereas this Lions team were training in Portugal last week. The brilliant Toulouse utility back Juan Cruz Mallia and Bordeaux Bègles lock Guido Petti are among those Pumas involved in the Top 14 playoffs this weekend, while props Thomas Gallo and Francisco Gomez Kodela are also missing. Contepomi's starting team retains nine of the starting XV which lost 22-19 to Ireland last November and 13 of both that matchday squad and the one against France the following week in their most recent outing. That core were also part of the Rugby Championship sides that secured wins over all three southern hemisphere rivals in the same campaign for the first time ever, helping them rise to fifth in the world rankings. It's a measure of this game's importance to Los Pumas and Contepomi that he has assembled a relatively experienced side sprinkled with hardened Test match players in the captain and hooker Julian Montoya, La Rochelle tighthead Joel Sclavi, flanker Pablo Matera and fullback Santiago Carreras. Los Pumas are invariably playing for a cause. Back in 2005, they were seeking entry into the 2005 Tri Nations but generally, as here, playing for Argentina is sufficient motivation, especially as the Lions have only granted them three meetings since their sole tour of the country in 1927. Tadhg Furlong during Thursday's Captain's Run. Photograph:However, this week also marks the 60th anniversary of a famous 11-6 victory over the Junior Springboks in Ellis Park on June 19th, 1965, a landmark win which effectively gave birth to Los Pumas. Furthermore, one of the heroes of that day, Arturo Rodríguez Jurado, aka El Trompa (The Trumpet) passed away last Sunday at the age of 81. The UAR (Union Argentina de Rugby) described him as one of the country's most outstanding players. 'They're a well-drilled, well organised team that's been playing some fantastic rugby, certainly over the last 18 months,' acknowledged Andy Farrell. 'Fifth in the world and beating everyone in their path shows where they're at. We realise as well just how special this is for them and what a privilege it is to be here at the Aviva with the Lions playing their first game in Ireland. It's a special occasion and it's great they're coming to the party.' Despite the extortionate ticket pricing and hotel gouging, the plentiful sightings of Lions tops around town on Thursday was a reminder how much the team means to rugby fans and despite the novelty of this fixture, the 'home' support should be significant. The Pumas also has a relatively callow-looking bench, with 23-year-old loosehead Bautista Bernasconi, hooker Boris Wenger (22) and scrumhalf Simon Benítez Cruz (25) are all wearing the distinctive blue and white hooped Pumas jersey for the first time. By contrast, as well as being out to make an early statement ahead of the Oz odyssey, Pierre Schoeman, Rónan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong bring way more international experience, and what Pollock lacks in that he makes up for in his electric energy. All in all, it will be a surprise and even a slight disappointment if the Lions don't board Saturday's long-haul flight to Perth with something of a statement win under their belts. LIONS: Marcus Smith (England); Tommy Freeman (England), Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland), Bundee Aki (Ireland), Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland); Fin Smith (England), Alex Mitchell (England); Ellis Genge (England), Luke Cowan-Dickie (England), Finlay Bealham (Ireland); Maro Itoje (England, capt), Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Tom Curry (England), Jac Morgan (Wales), Ben Earl (England). Replacements: Rónan Kelleher (Ireland), Pierre Schoeman (Scotland), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Scott Cummings (Scotland), Henry Pollock (England), Tomos Williams (Wales), Elliot Daly (England), Mack Hansen (Ireland). ARGENTINA: Santiago Carreras (Gloucester); Rodrigo Isgró (Harlequins), Lucio Cinti (Saracens), Justo Piccardo (Pampas), Ignacio Mendy (Benetton); Tomás Albornoz (Benetton), Gonzalo García (Zebre Parma); Mayco Vivas (Gloucester), Julian Montoya (Leicester, capt), Joel Sclavi (La Rochelle); Franco Molina (Exeter Chiefs), Pedro Rubiolo (Bristol Bears); Pablo Matera (Honda Heat), Juan Martin Gonzalez (Saracens), Joaquin Oviedo (Perpignan). Replacements: Bautista Bernasconi (Benetton), Boris Wenger (Dogos XV), Francisco Coria Marchetti (Brive), Santiago Grondona (Bristol Bears), Joaquin Moro (Pampas), Simón Benitez Cruz (Tarucas), Matias Moroni (Brive), Santiago Cordero (Connacht). Referee: James Doleman (NZR). Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Andrea Piardi (FIR) TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR) Head-to-head: 1910 – Argentina 3 Lions 28. 1927 – Argentina 3 Lions 37; Argentina 0 Lions 46; Argentina 3 Lions 34; Argentina 0 Lions 43. 1936 – Argentina 0 Lions 23. 2005: Lions 25 Argentina 25. Betting: 1-10 Lions, 30-1 Draw, 13-2 Argentina. Handicap odds (Argentina +15pts) 10/11 Lions, 22/1 Draw, 10/11 Argentina. Forecast: Lions to win and cover the handicap.
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Preview: Cohesion the key as Lions prepare for Pumas send-off
Six weeks and 10 games. It all starts tonight. Given the make-up of the squad and coaching staff, this Lions tour feels more Irish and British than British and Irish, and Dublin is the first stop, before they head Down Under on Saturday. The majority of the 16-strong Irish contingent in the playing group will be watching from the stands at Aviva Stadium this evening, with Rónan Kelleher the only of Leinster's BKT URC final squad asked to play two weeks in a row. While officially this is the end of week two in the Lions camp, 15 of the squad have only been in place since Monday afternoon, with the Leinster, Bath and Leicester Tigers contingent missing last week's Portugal camp due to their club commitments. As such, cohesion has been this week's buzz-word. Nine of the starting 15 for this opening game against Argentina are England internationals, but that familiarity could be offset by a new coaching team whose style of play may differ from Steve Borthwick. It's telling that his opening half-back partnership are team-mates for both club and country, with Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith teaming up behind the scrum, while Marcus Smith is patrolling the backfield at full-back, and ready to pivot to out-half if needed. "They were the two tens in the squad last week so they've been dovetailing 10 and 15, so it's great for them to have time in the saddle to be able to do that," Farrell said of the Smiths. "That's why it was good to, on many accounts, to train with a 23/24-man squad because it gave different people different combinations to have time and reps. New system, new calls, getting their heads around all that has allowed them to get to a point now where they're pretty excited to play together." Selections will change, but it will be curious to see if Farrell's side play to the strength and size of their three-quarter line. Wings Duhan van der Merwe and Tommy Freeman measure in at 6ft 4in and 6ft 3in, and weigh a couple of digits either side of 105kg. The centre combination of Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu are by no means tall, but are two of the most powerful in their position in the northern hemisphere. "I wouldn't have noticed," Farrell replied, when the size of his backline was mentioned. Aki (above) and Tuipulotu's partnership in particular is the one that jumped off the page when the team was named on Wednesday afternoon. Hard-running and big-hitting, the pair would initially have been expected to be in competition for the 12 shirt in the Test series next month, but if they gel as a combination while Garry Ringrose and Huw Jones are getting back to full fitness, it could be a perfect marriage. Farrell says he wants them to become a "dominant partnership", and if their direct carrying can occupy bodies and space for others to score, it could give them a head-start on Test selection. "So they've [Aki and Tuipulotu] been great. Getting on the same page, sharing each other's strengths and weaknesses, etc, and trying to get across what is a new system to everyone. So very diligent and excited to see that partnership, along with a few others. "But we know that we're coming up against a side who are pretty good in those type of positions as well, you know," Farrell added. The six Irish players n this week's matchday 23 are split evenly across the starting team and replacements; Aki and Tadhg Beirne both mark their second Lions tours at the Aviva, while Finlay Bealham starts at tighthead, less than two weeks after being called into the squad as an injury replacement for Scotland's Zander Fagerson. His fellow Ireland international and Canberra-native Mack Hansen is among the replacements, as is Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong, who will be making his first appearance since early May after being troubled by a calf injury. Argentina drove Ireland all the way when they last visited the Aviva back in November, and while Felipe Contepomi could be handing out three debuts off the bench, 12 of his starting team featured in that 22-19 defeat seven months ago. Four years ago, the tour to South Africa was thrown into chaos when captain Alun-Wyn Jones (above) dislocated his shoulder just seven minutes into the warm-up fixture against Japan. Jones did recover miraculously to rejoin the squad in time for the first Test, but Justin Tipuric had no such luck, and played no further part after his injury in Edinburgh. The head coach bristled at any suggestion players will have Saturday's flight to Australia in their sub-conscious for this game. "I'm not even thinking about avoiding injuries, that's the furthest thing from my mind because it's just sport. This is just the nature of sport in general, never mind the contact sport that we that we love to watch and play. So it is what it is. "We certainly, in the back of our minds, wish that we've got a healthy squad going to Australia, but we know that along the way, there's also the sorts of different implications that can happen. It's just the nature of the tour. "This is all about putting your best foot forward as a group. They're representing the group. "This is a full-blown Test match for us, for all that are involved internally. We're lucky to have the quality of the Argentinian side to come over and test that. It's going to be a fantastic occasion," added Farrell. British and Irish Lions: Marcus Smith; Tommy Freeman, Sione Tuipulotu, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Finlay Bealham; Maro Itoje (capt), Tadhg Beirne; Tom Curry, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl Argentina: Santiago Carreras; Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Justo Piccardo, Ignacio Mendy; Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo García; Mayco Vivas, Julian Montoya (capt), Joel Sclavi; Franco Molina, Pedro Rubiolo; Pablo Matera, Juan Martín Gonzalez, Joaquin Oviedo
