Good afternoon and welcome to St Conleth's Park in County Kildare for a pre-Christmas cracker of an All-Ireland senior club hurling championship semi-final between Derry and Ulster champions Slaughtneil and the Munster champions Sarsfields of County Cork.

The Ulster champions are back at the All-Ireland semi-final stage for the fifth time since 2016 and are hoping that it will be fifth time lucky and they can reach their first All-Ireland decider.

Slaughtneil burst through Derry with ease, shined against Cushendall in their Ulster semi and were workmanlike before coming from the dead to beat Portaferry in the provincial decider.

Sarsfields were beaten in the Cork final by the East Cork amalgamation side Imakilly and went on to represent the county in Munster as divisional sides are not permitted to progress beyond the county championships.

They quickly found their feet and caused the shock of the championship so far beating heavy All-Ireland favourites Ballygunner of Waterford in the Munster final.

Today is anyone's game and this is the most open club hurling championship maybe ever.

Team news to follow when we have it...

Image source, Inpho