Cats draw Shannonsiders in quarter-finals

Limerick's successful run through the All-Ireland SHC qualifiers has earned them a crack at reigning champions Kilkenny in the quarter-finals.

The draw for the All-Ireland hurling quarter-finals was made today on RTÉ Radio 1's 'Morning Ireland' programme by GAA Director General Páraic Duffy and Feargal McGill, the Secretary of the Central Competitions Control Committee.

After losing to Tipperary in the Munster Championship in May, Limerick have gained momentum with qualifier victories over Laois, Antrim and Clare respectively.

John Allen's up-and-coming side overcame provincial rivals Clare in Thurles on Saturday night to book their place in the quarter-final stage.

But they can expect a backlash from their next opponents Kilkenny who suffered a surprise defeat to Galway in last weekend's Leinster final.

The match-up between the Shannonsiders and the Cats is a repeat of the 2007 All-Ireland final which Kilkenny won on a 2-19 to 1-15 scoreline.

The other quarter-final tie is a mouth-watering Munster derby with Waterford, the beaten provincial finalists, and Cork renewing rivalries.

The Déise will have two weeks to bounce back from yesterday's 2-17 to 0-16 final defeat to Tipp, while Cork have found some decent form thanks to qualifier wins over Offaly and Wexford.

The counties last met in the Championship in July 2010 when Waterford, then managed by Davy Fitzgerald, won a Munster final replay by 1-16 to 1-13.

The current teams, the Michael Ryan-managed Déise and Jimmy Barry-Murphy's Rebels, also played each other in the opening round of this year's Allianz League.

Back in February, first half goals from Paudie O'Sullivan (2) and Cathal Naughton set the Corkmen up for a 3-17 to 0-18 round 1 win at Páirc Uí Rinn.

The two quarter-final clashes are expected to be staged as a double header on Sunday, July 29. Confirmation of this will be forthcoming after a meeting of the GAA's CCCC this afternoon.

GAA ALL-IRELAND SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS:

Waterford v Cork

Kilkenny v Limerick

- Both matches to be played on Sunday, July 29