Munster Championship 2005 dates decided

The dates and venues for the 2005 Munster hurling and football championships have been announced, following a meeting of the Munster Council.

In hurling, Limerick and Tipperary play out their first round battle in Thurles on May 15, and the winners will meet Clare in the semi-final on June 5. A venue will be decided in the weeks preceding the game.

In the other semi-final, All-Ireland champions Cork face Munster kingpins Waterford on May 22 in Thurles. The final will be held on June 26 and the venue will be decided once the finalists are known.

In football, Kerry put their provincial title on the line in a first round game against Tipperary on May 29 in Limerick. Should they win, they meet Limerick in the semi-final, a repeat of the final of the last two years, in Limerick on June 19.

Clare and Waterford play their first round tie on May 29 in Ennis, with the winners meeting Cork in the semi-final on June 12. A venue will be decided in the lead up to the game.

The Munster final will be played on July 10 and the venue will again be decided when the finalists are known.

HURLING

May 15: First round: Limerick v Tipperary, Thurles.

May 22: Semi-final: Cork v Waterford, Thurles.

June 5: Semi-final: Clare v Limerick, Thurles / Clare v Tipperary, Limerick.

June 26: Final: TBA.

All-Ireland Series

June 18: Tier 1 Round 1.

July 2: Tier 1 Round 2.

July 9: Tier 1 Round 3.

July 31: All-Ireland quarter-finals x 2.

August 14: All-Ireland quarter-finals x 2.

August 21: All-Ireland semi-final.

August 28: All-Ireland semi-final.

September 11: All-Ireland final.

FOOTBALL

May 29: First Round: Kerry v Tipperary, Limerick; Clare v Waterford, Ennis.

June 12: Semi-final: Waterford v Cork, Dungarvan / Clare v Cork, Ennis.

June 19: Semi-final: Limerick v Kerry, Limerick / Limerick v Tipperary, Cork.

July 10: Final: TBA.

All-Ireland Qualifiers

June 18: Round 1.

July 2: Round 2.

July 16: Round 3.

July 30: Round 4 (Munster and Connacht runners-up).

August 6: Round 4 (Leinster and Ulster runners-up).

August 7: Quarter-final: Munster v Connacht.

August 13: Quarter-final: Leinster v Ulster.

August 28: Semi-final: Munster v Connacht.

September 4: Semi-final: Leinster v Ulster.

September 25: All-Ireland final.