Preview: Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC Quarter-Finals:
Saturday June 24
All-Ireland SHC Quarter-Finals
Clare v Dublin, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 4pm, RTE
Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)
Considering the fact that a string of players were unavailable for the 2023 campaign, it still has been a satisfactory start for Micheál Donoghue with Dublin.
Emerging from the Leinster Championship with some gutsy displays produced means they will be eager to further examine Clare’s resolve.
Another gripping Munster Final unfolded with Clare playing a central role, but Limerick survived.
Now Brian Lohan’s charges must be focused because Dublin have the power and potential to cause problems.
Donal Burke has struck 2-59 in the Championship, while Cian O’Sullivan and Danny Sutcliffe have also enjoyed productive moments.
Carlow were spirited at Netwatch Cullen Park, but Dublin found a way to win an awkward match.
For Clare the Munster Championship started and finished with defeats, but the three wins in between highlighted the Banner’s passion and purpose.
In the round robin wins over Limerick, Waterford, and Cork were achieved in impressive fashion. Tony Kelly carries a potent scoring threat, while Mark Rodgers’ is performing smartly.
Shane O’Donnell’s bravery and brilliance was evident in the Munster showpiece too so Clare will be straining every sinew to book a return to Croke Park.
Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Rory Hayes, Seadna Morey; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David McInerney; Cathal Malone, David Fitzgerald; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, Ryan Taylor; Ian Galvin, Shane O’Donnell, Mark Rodgers.
Subs: Eamonn Foudy, David Reidy, Darragh Lohan, Shane Meehan, Aron Shanagher, Patrick Crotty, Paul Flanagan, Cian Nolan, Cian Galvin, David Conroy, Paddy Donnellan.
Dublin: Seán Brennan; John Bellew, Eoghan O’Donnell, Paddy Smyth; Paddy Doyle, Conor Burke, Daire Gray; Mark Grogan, Chris O’Leary; Danny Sutcliffe, Donal Burke, Cian Boland; Seán Currie, Cian O’Sullivan, Darragh Power.
Subs: Eddie Gibbons, Conor Donohoe, James Madden, Andy Dunphy, Joe Flanagan, Aidan Mellett, Paul Crummey, Fergal Whitely, Alex Considine, Dara Purcell, Diarmuid Ó Dúlaing.
Tipperary v Galway, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 6.15pm, RTE
Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow)
It promises to be a lively encounter between Tipperary and Galway.
In 11 of the last 15 Championship matches since 1987 involving the teams only one score has separated Tipperary and Galway.
With an All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final spot the considerable prize it should be similarly interesting at TUS Gaelic Grounds.
Despite a disappointing Munster SHC loss to Waterford it has been an encouraging campaign overall for Liam Cahill’s Tipperary so far.
Dynamic displays have been summoned throughout 2023 with the 7-38 to 3-18 triumph over Offaly illustrating Tipperary’s attacking ability.
Mark Kehoe starred in that game, while Jake Morris and Jason Forde have also been in prolific scoring form during the Championship.
Galway suffered a harrowing Leinster SHC Final defeat to Kilkenny as Cillian Buckley pinched a late goal to seal victory.
Summoning an instant response is what Galway will be striving to do. At this stage in 2022 Henry Shefflin’s outfit, who had been beaten by Kilkenny in the provincial decider, thundered back into the national reckoning by overcoming Cork.
That was a tight and tense tussle, but Galway did demonstrate character. Kevin Cooney’s development bodes well in a forward unit that will again look to Evan Niland, Conor Whelan, and Conor Cooney for scores.
Tipperary: Rhys Shelly; Cathal Barrett, Michael Breen, Eoghan Connolly; Bryan O’Mara, Ronan Maher, Dan McCormack; Conor Stakelum, Noel McGrath; Alan Tynan, Jason Forde, Seamus Kennedy; Jake Morris, Seamus Callanan, Mark Kehoe.
Subs: Barry Hogan, Conor Bowe, John Campion, Pauric Campion, Enda Heffernan, John McGrath, Gearoid O’Connor, Niall O’Meara, Jack Ryan, Johnny Ryan, Seán Ryan.
Galway: Eanna Murphy; Jack Grealish, Gearoid McInerney, Darren Morrissey; Pádraic Mannion, Daithí Burke, Joseph Cooney; Seán Linnane, Cathal Mannion; Brian Concannon, Cianan Fahy, Tom Monaghan; Conor Whelan, Kevin Cooney, Evan Niland.
Subs: Darach Fahy, TJ Brennan, Fintan Burke, Shane Cooney, Ronan Glennon, Adrian Tuohey, Tiernan Killeen, Conor Cooney, Jason Flynn, Liam Collins, Declan McLoughlin.