All-Ireland hurling semi-finals - all you need to know
Cork, Dublin, Kilkenny and Tipperary will contest the All-Ireland hurling semi-finals
- Published
This weekend's All-Ireland hurling semi-final double-header at Croke Park has thrown up a couple of intriguing ties as Cork host Dublin on Saturday 5 July at 17:00 BST and Kilkenny take on Tipperary on Sunday 6 July at 16:00.
Cork remain on course to go one better than last year when they lost to Clare by a single point in a thrilling final and they face a Dubs side who caused a huge upset at the last-eight stage by seeing off Limerick despite playing much of the game with 14 players.
Leinster champions Kilkenny are the most successful county in the history of the Liam MacCarthy Cup with 36 successes but they face formidable opposition in the form of Tipp.
BBC Sport NI brings you the lowdown on the two big games in Dublin.
How can I follow on BBC?
Both matches will be broadcast live on BBC Two NI, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
Sarah Mulkerrins presents coverage on both Saturday and Sunday, with Thomas Niblock and Jamesie O'Connor on commentary.
Sarah will be joined by Neil McManus, Paul Murphy and Seamus Flanagan, who will provide expert analysis.
Mark Sidebottom will be pitchside alongside Mark Landers for the Cork-Dublin encounter and will have the company of Brian Hogan and Seamus Callanan for the meeting of Kilkenny and Tipperary.
Television coverage begins on Saturday at 16:40 BST and at 15:40 on Sunday.
In addition to live video coverage, the BBC Sport website will provide text updates of both games, plus in-play clips, highlights and post-match reaction.
Routes to the semi-finals
Kilkenny came out on top in the group stage of the Leinster SHC with four wins from their five games, before defeating Galway 3-22 to 1-20 in the provincial decider.
Tipperary finished third in the Munster SHC group stage to advance to the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals in which they beat Laois convincingly 3-32 to 0-18.
Liam Cahill's men then got the better of Galway 1-28 to 2-17 to book their semi-final place.
Cork came in second at the group stage of the Munster championship to progress to the provincial final where they beat Limerick 3-2 on penalties after the game ended in a draw after extra-time.
Dublin were third in the Leinster SHC round-robin and followed up a comprehensive 3-25 to 0-13 win over Kildare in the preliminary quarter-finals by shocking Limerick 2-24 to 0-28 in the subsequent round despite losing captain Chris Crummey to a red card early in the game.
All-Ireland pedigree
This year's semi-finals feature four of the five most successful counties in the history of the All-Ireland Hurling Championship.
Kilkenny have won a record 26 titles but have not lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup since 2015, their four most recent appearances in the final in 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2023 having ended in losses.
Cork are 30-time winners but are aiming to bridge a 20-year gap since their last success. Like Kilkenny, they have been defeated in their past four finals.
Tipp have 28 triumphs to their name, the last in 2019, while Dublin remarkably last won the All-Ireland way back in 1938, with their most recent progression to a final having been 1961.
Team news
Kilkenny have received a boost ahead of their semi-final on Sunday with the news that Eoin Cody is set to be available after missing the Leinster final victory over Galway.
Cody had been in prolific form for the Cats in the opening games of the Leinster SHC round-robin before being struck by injury. Manager Derek Lyng will make a decision on whether he will start in the coming days.
Kilkenny will also be without Harry Shine, who has ruptured a cruciate ligament, and Marty Murphy, who has a hamstring issue.
Veteran Cork half-forward Seamus Harnedy will not feature against Dublin at Croke Park however as he is suffering from a hamstring problem.
Rebels' captain Rob Downey and corner-back Niall O'Leary should be fit to start after being introduced in their provincial decider while forward Declan Dalton has recovered from the hamstring problem that kept him out against Limerick.
Team listings will appear here when announced.