Preview- Big clashes in store as senior grade reaches the last eight

It’s down to the business end of the St Canice's Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship with the quarter-finals down for decision in UPMC Nowlan Park this weekend.

Unlike other years, all four games will be played at Kilkenny HQ with two apiece on Saturday and Sunday.

Glenmore v Dicksboro - Saturday at 2pm

Glenmore and Dicksboro kick off the action and a fascinating affair is expected between two clubs who already met in the league a couple of weeks ago.

On that occasion Glenmore only had one point to spare in a 2-15 to 0-20 success with a late Robbie Fitzgerald free and goals from Cathal Beirne and Ciaran Kirwan getting the South Kilkenny side over the line.

A similar close encounter is expected here as Glenmore look to bounce back from their league shield final loss to Mullinavat against a Dicksboro team that got a confidence boosting result against Graigue Ballycallan the last time out.

The story for the Boro in 2025 has been their injuries and absentees as they deal with the loss of Harry Shine, Tom McPhillips and Tom Kenny amongst others but such has been the depth of talent coming through Palmerstown in recent years, there is still plenty of quality involved including the likes of Liam Moore, Timmy Clifford, Padraic Moylan and Cillian Hackett.

Both clubs are also under new management and a place in the semi-finals would be seen as a big starting point with Seamus Dollard (Glenmore) and Eamonn Jackman (Dicksboro) looking to make a statement.

There won't be more than a puck of the ball in it either way but Glenmore’s extra guile in the likes of Shane Murphy, Alan Murphy, Ger Aylward and Ian Byrne as well as the new generation of Billy Reid and Darragh Vereker may just have it in the tank to make it to the last four.

Bennettsbridge v Mullinavat - Saturday at 4pm

For the third season on the trot, Bennettsbridge are on the back of a knockout championship victory over Tullaroan and they will go into Saturday’s clash with Mullinavat as slight favourites as a result.

The Vat are also coming in on the back of a big win after their penalty success over Glenmore in that Shield Final. The ’Bridge narrowly missed out on last year’s semi-final and they will be eager to get back to this stage with a county final spot up for grabs.

The return of Kevin Blanchfield from his travels abroad has boosted Brian Lannon’s outfit and with his two brothers Liam and David already doing damage, it adds another arsenal to the Bennettsbridge cause.

For Mullinavat. it will be their first championship outing since well beaten by subsequent county champions Thomastown in last year’s semi-final but on the basis of their league form, they look well primed to put in a serious challenge here.

Colm O’Byrne is getting a fair tune out of them and with John Walsh, Ian Duggan, Oisin Knox and Ger Malone all in good form, the Vegas boys will fancy their chances.

The game may come down to small margins and with James Hughes excelling on the frees this term in addition to the Blanchfield’s threat, a narrow vote is given in favour of the Bridge.

Thomastown v Shamrocks - Sunday at 2pm

It may be the first game of Sunday’s double-header in the Park but it will have the most eyes on it as county champions Thomastown and Shamrocks Ballyhale meet in a huge local derby and it will also be screened live on TG4.

The game is an exact replica of a meeting between the same two clubs at this stage last year which saw Thomastown win out on a 0-21 to 1-16 scoreline before adding the county title a couple of weeks later.

Thomastown have maintained that type of form throughout the league and after resting John Donnelly and Stephen Donnelly in the final loss to O’Loughlin Gaels, they will be locked and loaded this weekend.

Shamrocks on the other hand come into the last eight clash on the back of a huge championship opener success over Erin’s Own and with the likes of Adrian Mullen back from injury, they will relish a crack at revenge against one of their closest rivals.

It’s a game that will go to the wire but the Henry Shefflin factor may just be enough to see Shamrocks dethrone the champions.

O’Loughlin Gaels v Clara - Sunday at 4pm

The last of the quarter-final ties sees O’Loughlin Gaels face up with Clara.

Brian Hogan’s city side will go into the game as strong favourites as they look to back up their league title success from a fortnight ago. The county final pain from a year ago may not have totally subsided either and they look like the team to beat as things stand.

Clara will go into the game with no pressure on their back but they know they will have to be much improved from their extra-time success over Lisdowney the last day. All the evidence points to an O’Loughlin’s win with a bit to spare.