GAA: Return of provincial hurling championships reignites neighbourly rivalries

After the return of the provincial football championships last week, this weekend sees the turn of the hurling and ladies football championships in Munster and Leinster.

The opening round of the Leinster Hurling Championship brings some exciting pairings, with Wexford welcoming Dublin and Kilkenny meeting Antrim.

The big ticket game, however, is in Munster, where neighbours Clare and Limerick add another instalment to their fierce rivalry.

The game is made all the more intriguing by the outcome of their meetings in last year's provincial championship, in which the Banner took the win in second round, only to suffer defeat to the Shannonsiders in the final.

Here's all the fixtures taking place this weekend, and where to catch the televised games...

Football

Connacht semi-final: Sligo v Galway – Markievicz Park, 3.30pm.

Munster semi-final: Kerry v Cork – Fitzgerald Stadium, 4pm.

Munster semi-final: Waterford v Clare – Fraher Field, 6pm.

Ulster semi-final: Derry v Donegal – Celtic Park, 6.15pm. Live coverage on RTÉ Two from 6.10pm.

The race for the Liam MacCarthy Cup begins this weekend!