Joe McDonagh and Lory Meagher Cup match-ups lead crammed schedule of decisive hurling action for this weekend
WITH provincial finals and All-Ireland SHC places up for grabs, this weekend is set to be a pivotal one for hurling's top counties.
We will also be a step closer to knowing who will be promoted to the Liam MacCarthy Cup for 2026 as the pairing for the Joe McDonagh Cup showpiece is decided.
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Cork are suddenly in danger of having their season ended on Sunday
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2017 All-Ireland winner Johnny Glynn has represented New York in football as well as hurling down through the years
At both levels, the threat of relegation looms too for several counties aiming to capitalise on one last chance to preserve their current status.
Ahead of a crucial series of fixtures, here is what is at stake for each of the teams involved . . .
LEINSTER SHC
Kilkenny
With a flawless record from their four games to date, the five-in-a-row Leinster champions are already safely through to another final irrespective of the outcome of Sunday's trip to Wexford.
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Galway
Micheál Donoghue's men will join the Cats in the June 8 decider should they avoid defeat to Dublin at Parnell Park.
Dublin
Like Galway, the Dubs are already assured of a place in the All-Ireland series. But victory against the Tribe will also set them up for a rematch of last year's Leinster final.
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Wexford
Despite edging past Offaly last weekend, even another victory over Kilkenny will not be enough to extend Wexford's season.
Limerick GAA fans troll RTE pundit Donal Og Cusack after win over Cork
Offaly and Antrim
Their meeting in Tullamore is essentially a relegation play-off, though a draw will also keep Offaly in the top tier due to their superior scoring difference.
MUNSTER SHC
Limerick
With John Kiely's side chasing a seventh Munster title in a row, only a highly improbable 26-point defeat to Clare on Sunday — coupled with a Cork win over Waterford — would stop them from contesting the June 7 final.
Tipperary
Having concluded their round-robin campaign, Tipp are already guaranteed to join Limerick in the All-Ireland series.
They will also meet the Treaty in the provincial showpiece if Cork fail to beat Waterford.
Cork
A first Munster final since 2018 will be the Rebels' reward for a home win against the Déise.
A draw will be enough to send them through in third place, while a defeat will end their season.
Waterford
A Munster final is out of reach for Peter Queally's men.
However, a win at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh will see them qualify via the round-robin format for the first time.
Clare
The clash with Limerick is essentially a dead-rubber for the All-Ireland champions, whose hopes of retaining the Liam MacCarthy Cup ended with last weekend's wins for Limerick and Tipp.
JOE McDONAGH CUP
Only a draw between Carlow and Laois has the potential to deny Kildare a place in the Croke Park decider on June 8.
Regardless of what happens at Netwatch Cullen Park, Brian Dowling's side are guaranteed to advance if they win at home to a Down side who are staring relegation in the face.
Laois will contest the final as long as they avoid defeat to Carlow.
If Kildare beat Down, nothing less than victory will keep Carlow in contention for an immediate return to the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
At the other end of the table, relegation still lingers for Kerry, Westmeath and Down as all three teams are level on two points each.
The Mourne men are bottom due to their scoring difference.
The Kingdom and the Lake County square off tomorrow in Tralee, while Down will look to avoid a return to the Christy Ring by scuppering Kildare's dreams of playing in the Leinster SHC next year.
LORY MEAGHER CUP
New York, led by Galway's 2017 All-Ireland SHC winner Johnny Glynn and former Cork defender Seán O'Leary Hayes, have made the trip to TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar for tomorrow's semi-final against Monaghan.
The winners face Cavan at Croker tomorrow week.
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