Thurles double header for hurling quarter-finals

As anticipated, the two All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals have been fixed for a double header bill at Semple Stadium on Sunday week.

This is the same scenario as two years ago when the Thurles venue played host to Limerick's 2-18 to 1-17 win over Dublin and the 1-16 to 0-18 victory for Waterford against Galway.

Beaten Leinster finalists Dublin and Limerick will meet in the curtain raiser on July 24 (throw-in 2pm), with the Waterford v Galway tie getting underway at 4pm.

Confirmation of the fixtures came from the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee this afternoon.

Limerick boss Donal O'Grady is hoping to get the county's Munster Under-21 semi-final against Clare postponed, as it is due to take place just three days before the seniors clash with Dublin.

There are four players in both of the Shannonsiders' panels, including teenage forward Declan Hannon who top-scored with 0-8 in last Saturday's qualifier win over Antrim.

The three others involved are Kevin Downes, Graeme Mulcahy and Sean O'Brien. Speaking after the Antrim game, O'Grady said: "If the GAA are serious about player burnout they'll have to put the (Under-21) game back.

"Obviously it's not my decision, it's a decision for the Munster Council...but maybe common sense will prevail.

"The All Ireland quarter-final is on the Sunday. They're hardly going to ask players to play three days earlier.

"From a player welfare point and purely medical point of view and prevention of injury you wouldn't play a full match on a Thursday night and then go out on a Sunday and play a full match again. That's a disaster.

"I'm not quite sure what happens. We might have to do a Ger Loughnane and pull them, or like the Kerry footballers a couple of years ago 'Gooch' Cooper picked up a miraculous injury.

"But we'll have to look at it. Maybe the County Board will try and get it put back."

O'Grady also has quite an injury list to contend with ahead of the trip to Thurles. Mulcahy sat out the victory over Antrim with an ankle injury and fellow forward Downes damaged his calf in the first half and had to be replaced.

Midfielders Paul Browne (foot) and Donal O'Grady (shoulder) are also nursing knocks. Browne is waiting on a broken bone to heal and O'Grady, who lasted until half-time against the Saffrons, damaged his AC joint in a heavy challenge.

Meanwhile, experienced corner back Damien Reale is back doing some light jogging. He injured his knee playing club hurling for Hospital-Herbertstown late last month.

Reale has been absent for Limerick since their Munster semi-final loss to Waterford on June 12. Doon's Denis Moloney has donned the number 2 jersey for the recent wins over Wexford and Antrim.

GAA ALL-IRELAND SHC QUARTER-FINALS:

Sunday, July 24

Dublin v Limerick, Semple Stadium, 2pm

Waterford v Galway, Semple Stadium, 4pm