Cork and Galway clash in All-Ireland hurling semi-final as Croke Park hosts pivotal weekend
The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-finals get under way at Croke Park on Saturday, with Cork taking on Galway before Clare face Limerick on Sunday. Over 150,000 fans are expected across the weekend as the sport seeks to reclaim the national spotlight.
The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-finals take place this weekend at Croke Park, with Cork facing Galway on Saturday and Clare meeting Limerick on Sunday. Over 150,000 supporters are expected across the two days, with the Cork-Galway clash pushing the 82,300-capacity venue close to its limit.
Cork and Galway renew rivalry
Cork, managed by Ben O'Connor, enter the match as favourites but carry the weight of a 21-year wait for the Liam MacCarthy Cup, their last title coming in 2005. They lost last year's final to Tipperary and have not beaten Galway in championship hurling since 2008, a run of five consecutive defeats. Galway, the Leinster champions under Micheál Donoghue, are seeking a first final appearance since 2018 and a first All-Ireland since 2017. Cork defender Rob Downey acknowledged the historical edge, saying the record "tells you how good, how traditional the county of Galway are". Throw-in is at 3.30pm.
Cork's forward line, featuring Alan Connolly and Brian Hayes, has been less explosive than in previous campaigns but remains dangerous. Galway's flood-the-defence style, which proved effective in their 2022 semi-final win over Cork, could again frustrate a Cork side that thrives on open, high-tempo hurling. Cork have become harder to break down, with Mark Coleman and Eoin Downey improving defensively, but their shot output has dipped. This is Cork's first knockout match since last year's final defeat, and O'Connor has spent the season building a mentality where "there was no permission to lose".
Limerick and Clare set for Sunday showdown
On Sunday, Limerick take on Clare in the second semi-final. Limerick, under John Kiely, saw their bid for a fifth consecutive All-Ireland title ended by Cork at the same stage last year. The squad has a deep connection with Croke Park, where they had been unbeaten in eight games before that loss.
Kiely has emphasised the team's established routine, saying the players "know exactly what is going to happen over the next four weeks". Clare, who beat Dublin by 13 points in the quarter-final, stand in their way.Walking into that stadium is an absolute privilege. With the history and tradition of the place, it's just amazing to play there. That is where the big trophies are handed out.
Hurling's marquee weekend under a cloud
The semi-finals arrive amid a wave of anxiety about the sport's long-term health. Some commentators have described hurling as being "in crisis" or "dying", pointing to lopsided quarter-final results (Cork beat Offaly by 26 points, Clare beat Dublin by 13) and the dominance of Munster counties. Former Tipperary manager Eamon O'Shea wrote of his fears for the game's future.
Yet the weekend's attendance figures offer a counter-narrative. As one columnist noted, if this is dying, "book me into whatever Swiss clinic you guys are using".As I rest, my mind begins to reflect on the potential demise of the game nationally. Are we in the downhill phase?
How to watch
Both semi-finals are live on RTÉ and BBC. Saturday's Cork-Galway game throws in at 3.30pm, with BBC coverage starting at 3.15pm. Sunday's Clare-Limerick match begins at 4pm, with build-up from 3.45pm. Studio guests include former Galway captain David Burke, Kilkenny's Paul Murphy, and Limerick's Seamus Flanagan.
