THE LEINSTER Council have confirmed that Croke Park will stage a double-header of provincial hurling semi-finals on Sunday June 20th, with All-Ireland champions Kilkenny playing either Dublin or Laois at 2pm, followed by Galway against Offaly at 4pm.

The winners will then meet in the Leinster final, back in Croke Park, on July 4th.

Dublin face Laois in Nowlan Park in Kilkenny this Sunday for the right to make that semi-final date, in what is the first championship meeting between the sides since 2005.

On that occasion, Laois surprised Dublin 4-14 to 0-14, although Dublin, who made last year’s Leinster final, are fancied to make it through this time.

There is good news for Dublin manager Anthony Daly in that full back Tomás Brady and forward Peter Kelly are available for selection.

Brady had been carrying a knee injury and Kelly a hamstring complaint, but both featured in last week’s challenge game against Clare.

However, there are still some injury concerns over David O’Callaghan and David Treacy.

Laois have already recorded a 1-13 to 0-10 win over Carlow in the first round, last Saturday week, and manager Niall Rigney has midfielder Joe Fitzpatrick, who hit 1-3 against Carlow, back to full fitness.

Irish Times

Filed under: Laois Hurling, Inter County, LHC