Preview- County Final spots on offer in junior and senior hurling grades

All eyes will be on UPMC Nowlan Park over Saturday and Sunday as both the St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship and JJ Kavanagh Premier Junior Hurling Championship find out their county finalists.

A big crowd is anticipated on Sunday as the final four at senior level battle it out for a coveted place in the county decider with some familiar faces returning to the semi-final stage.

There will be a new name on the Tom Walsh Cup for the 2025 championship after defending champions Thomastown were well beaten by the Shamrocks the last day out.

The action on Sunday kicks off with the meeting of the league and shield winners as O’Loughlin Gaels and Mullinavat lock horns.

O’Loughlins will be most people’s favourite ahead of the last four tie but Mullinavat will have no fear after Clara pushed the city side to the pin of their collar a fortnight ago.

Mullinavat have been a bit of a bogey team to the Gaels as well - it’s only three years ago since they knocked them out in the opening round of the championship.

With Fionan Mackessy hitting form at the right time and Conor Kelly and Luke Hogan providing a big threat ahead of the Kilkenny dominated defence, it’s hard to look beyond them but with John Walsh leading the Mullinavat charge, they can take nothing for granted.

The second semi-final then pits Shamrocks against Dicksboro for a much anticipated meeting.

The Ballyhale outfit have been the most impressive performer in the championship to date with two big displays as Henry Shefflin begins to make a mark during his second term at the helm.

In opposition is a Dicksboro team that has been decimated with emigration and injury issues, but yet they still find themselves in the final four.

Talented youngster Patrick Lacey has been one of their big finds and alongside Timmy Clifford and Liam Moore, they have the players to do damage but they severely lack in the experience ranks compared to their opponents and with Adrian Mullen back from injury to add to the riches of Eoin Cody, TJ Reid, Joey Holden and Darragh Corcoran as well as the new crop which are highlighted by Niall Shortall, one would expect that the Shamrocks should have enough to return to a first final since 2023.

A day earlier it’s all about the junior ranks and there is a very fresh and novel look to it with the likes of Windgap and Piltown already knocked out.

St Patrick’s of Ballyragget have been the upset kings thus far and now only section B winners O’Loughlin Gaels stand in the way of a place in the final.

The second final four meeting offers a huge opportunity to both Barrow Rangers and Galmoy with neither winning a final since Galmoy took the title back in 2004.

A big prize awaits!