Sport

Leinster face a Munster size fight to hold onto their crown

Tipperary's P&aacute;draic Maher will captain Munster in their clash with Leinster on Saturday <br />Picture by S&eacute;amus Loughran
Tipperary's Pádraic Maher will captain Munster in their clash with Leinster on Saturday
Picture by Séamus Loughran
Tipperary's Pádraic Maher will captain Munster in their clash with Leinster on Saturday
Picture by Séamus Loughran

GAA Inter-provincial Hurling Championship semi-final: Leinster v Munster (Saturday, Pearse Stadium, 2pm)

LEINSTER manager Pat Critchley has opted for inclusiveness ahead of Saturday’s inter-provincial semi-final against Munster at Pearse Stadium.

A total of 10 counties are represented on the reigning champion’s panel, with Longford and Louth the only two counties not included. All-Ireland champions Kilkenny and Wexford have six players each on the panel, with that dozen including stars like Richie Hogan, Walter Walsh, Paul Murphy and Lee Chin.

It was revealed earlier this week that Joe Fitzpatrick was retiring from Laois duty and this will be his last weekend playing with some of his O’Moore county team-mates. Zane Keenan, who also stepped away from Laois due to work commitments, is also included.

Anthony Daly is in charge of Munster and he has named Tipperary's Pádraic Maher as captain. With all six Munster counties playing Liam MacCarthy in 2016 following Kerry’s promotion, Daly has cast his net wide, with all represented. Shane Nolan is the Kingdom’s sole man on the squad.

Daly’s team is littered with superstars and with big names like Shane O’Donnell, Anthony Nash, Shane Dowling and John O’Dwyer among their ranks, it’s no surprise they are favourites to add a 46th title.

The inter-provincial stage may still not register in the psyche of the GAA public, but it’s a rare occasion when two teams of such quality meet. The fact the players still treat the competition with respect, despite the sparse crowds, almost guarantees a high-quality spectacle.

With two matches in two days for the semi-final winners, panel depth also comes into play in this tournament. On that front, Leinster and Munster completely destroy Connacht and Ulster. As a result, the side that comes through this game should be in a super position to claim the trophy on Sunday.