Bumper weekend in store for Kilkenny hurling fans

There’s a huge couple of days on the horizon for Kilkenny hurling supporters with the minor, under-20 and senior sides all in action over the Easter weekend.

Niall Bergin’s minor team get the ball rolling when they play host to Leinster newcomers Galway in UPMC Nowlan Park on Good Friday at 5pm.

Both teams have already accounted for Laois and Antrim over the last two weekends and the winner on Friday will bookend their spot in the provincial semi-finals.

While a victory would be welcomed, the loser is already assured of a place in a Leinster quarter-final.

Galway will come into the game as warm favourites after winning well at under-16 level last year but the Cats have a talented crop at their disposal and they will be confident of turning over the Tribesmen.

The bandwagon will then roll into Chadwick’s Wexford Park on Saturday with defending All-Ireland champions Kilkenny opening up the defence of their Leinster under-20 title against Wexford.

The game in Wexford Town has a 2pm start and it will be the first competitive outing for Dicksboro’s Mark Dowling as manager and his selectors Liam Egan (John Lockes), Robert Shortall (Clara) and JJ Delaney (Fenians).

A lot of interest will surround JJ Delaney’s first foray into coaching for a competition that is much changed from the one that Kilkenny only played a handful of games in during their Leinster and All-Ireland success in 2022.

Saturday’s opener will be followed by further games with Galway and Dublin with the top two in the group making the semi-finals and the bottom two going into the quarter-finals.

There’s no question what the main event of the weekend is however as Kilkenny and Limerick both make the trip to Leeside for Sunday’s much anticipated Allianz Hurling League Division One final in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

The All-Ireland final rematch has a 2pm throw-in and will be live on TG4.

Under normal circumstances, a big crowd would be expected but with such derision among both counties at the choice of venue, it remains to be seen just how many spectators make the trip to Cork for what will be the first major final hosted there since it’s redevelopment a couple of years ago.

While Kilkenny jointly won the league along with Galway in 2021, this will be their first appearance in a final since winning it on home soil against Tipperary in 2018.

Tickets for the final can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.ie or at selected Centra and Supervalu stores.

Please note this is a fully reserved seating fixture and prices are as follows: Adult, Stand €25, Student/OAP, Stand €20, Juvenile, Stand €5, Wheelchair & attendant, €25.