It’s straight back into Round 2 action this weekend in both the Leinster and Munster senior hurling championships. Here are our previews:

 

Sunday, May 19th

Leinster SHC round 2

Carlow v Kilkenny, Netwatch Cullen Park, 3pm

This is set to be the first Leinster championship meeting between these two counties since 1993 and Brian Cody’s Kilkenny are heading in as whopping 1/50 favourites.

The Cats came through a potentially tricky opener against Dublin last weekend at Nowlan Park in relative comfort, proving some doubters wrong along the way as talisman TJ Reid weighed in with an impressive 2-12 tally.

Carlow’s assignment on opening weekend was Galway in Salthill and they gave a decent account of themselves in a 1-24 to 1-18 defeat.

The Barrowsiders face another mammoth task this Sunday and, even with home advantage in their favour, it’s hard to envisage Colm Bonnar’s charges springing the first upset in this competition.

Verdict: Kilkenny

Dublin v Wexford, Parnell Park, 3pm

Davy Fitzgerald’s Wexford side head for the capital this weekend looking to hit the ground running in their 2019 Leinster championship campaign.

It’s set to be the sixth time in seven seasons the Slaneysiders cross swords with the Dubs in the eastern province, with the capital men winning on four of those occasions.

Fitzgerald’s charges defeated this opposition by two points in last year’s Leinster ‘round robin’ at Innovate Wexford Park, but this Dublin outfit have improved under Mattie Kenny since then despite coming up short against Kilkenny the last day.

With home advantage this time, Kenny’s charges are slight favourites (5/6) heading into this contest which is simply just too close to call.

Verdict: Draw

Munster SHC round 2

Tipperary v Waterford, Semple Stadium, 2pm – RTE

Tipperary boss Liam Sheedy branded this one “another massive match” for his side shortly after their Round 1 victory at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

The Premier men looked like genuine All-Ireland contenders in the win over Cork last Sunday and they are set to welcome Waterford to Thurles as strong 2/5 favourites this weekend.

The Deise have not beaten Tipp in the championship since advancing past them towards the 2008 All-Ireland final and they’re in sore need of a win after going down to Clare at home the first day.

Seamus Callanan and John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer, in particular, were in red-hot form against the Rebels last time out and the visitors’ defence will have their hands full in trying to nullify their threat in Round 2.

Verdict: Tipperary

Limerick v Cork, Gaelic Grounds, 4pm – RTE

All-Ireland champions Limerick return to championship duty this weekend when they welcome Cork to the Gaelic Grounds and it should be an intriguing battle to say the least.

John Meyler’s Rebels went down to a fired-up Tipperary outfit on opening weekend and need points fast if they are to avoid relinquishing their coveted Munster crown.

These two sides served up two of the best contests of last year’s championship, with both finishing level after normal time.

Many will fancy 8/1 odds for another draw but it’s Limerick who get the nod here after backing up their Liam McCarthy Cup triumph with a National League success in the Spring.

Verdict: Limerick

Follow the hoganstand.com match tracker on Sunday afternoon for live coverage of the Leinster and Munster senior hurling championships.

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