A weekend of soaring heat and 99s delivered one of the most memorable weekends in South East GAA for quite some time.
We are kicking off this morning with Carlow's success in the Joe McDonagh Cup and a game befitting any Championship outing.
In a pulsating clash of two determined sides, Tom Mullally's men prevailed by a scoreline of 2-29 to 1-31.
Full-time after extra-time: Carlow 2-29 Offaly 1-31
Chris Nolan's late point wins the Joe McDonagh Cup for Carlow. They are promoted to the Leinster SHC.
? Watch: https://t.co/ced90fC20O
? Updates: https://t.co/UudPo3lgyO #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/FTCs2OTGQl— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 27, 2023
Carlow held a four-point lead as the game approached the final minutes of regular time, with the crowd anticipating the final whistle.
But credit to Offaly as they dug deep with 14 men, drawing level in injury time and forcing proceedings into extra time.
Mullallly's side showed tremendous character and grit in extra time, digging deep to claim desired honours on the day.
It was a game that had everything, from a red card to a last-ditch extra-time winning point - Chris Nolan's dramatic late score ultimately seeing off Offaly in a memorable meeting in HQ.
Speaking after the game, captain Paul Doyle welcomed the challenge to come, and following the fine work of everybody in the County, Carlow will make their return to the Leinster Senior Championship in 2024.
Next up is a preliminary quarter-final clash with Dublin on the weekend of Saturday, 17 June.
The entire @UPMCinIreland team would like to send massive congratulations to our partners in @Carlow_GAA on winning the Joe McDonagh cup yesterday. The senior hurlers overcame Offaly after extra time in an epic encounter in Croke Park.
Comhghairdeas Libh agus Ceatharlach Abú!! pic.twitter.com/JN42OnfGcl
— UPMC Ireland (@UPMCinIreland) May 28, 2023
We move to the drama of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship and the meeting of Wexford and Kilkenny in Chadwicks Wexford Park.
Following a campaign to forget for Darragh Egan's men, the potential outcome of defeat for Wexford was not something that the men and women of the South East could have even contemplated.
But the players were aware of what was at stake and the prospect of relegation cast aside, as Wexford saw off Kilkenny with a battling display, ending in a scoreline of 4-23 to 5-18.
The full time stats from a match where the word "dramatic" doesn't even begin to describe it.
Live updates and stats in association with @eset_ireland pic.twitter.com/iSoEIcoAvJ
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) May 28, 2023
The win over the cats was a fourth in seven years for Wexford, with Egan uncertain as to whether he will have an opportunity to make it five in 2024
Speaking afterwards, he said: "I don’t know. I don’t make the decisions. I absolutely love hurling. I absolutely love this group. I have my wife Sarah and the three boys at home and they are a massive support to me."
Whatever decision is taken Wexford have assured their participation in Leinster's next campaign with an opportunity to atone for a Championship to forget.
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After a hectic Final Round Robin Day, the line up for the 2023 Senior Hurling Championship Final is set;
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?️ 11th June
? 4pm#TheseAreOurColours | @Galway_GAA @KilkennyCLG pic.twitter.com/07T9wxu1e6— Leinster GAA (@gaaleinster) May 28, 2023
For Kilkenny, defeat is never something that is welcomed or accepted. Derek Lyng has continued the Cat's proud Leinster final tradition, however. Despite the defeat, a meeting against Galway for provincial honours awaits.
This is a group that has more to come, and their Championship pedigree is yet to surface. A group of dogged personalities with a ferocious winning mentality, few would be disregarding yet another Championship tilt for this group of exceptional hurlers.
Munster Senior Hurling Championship, Score updates in association with SYS Financial Planning.
Full Time Tipperary.: 0-21(21)
Waterford: 1-24(27)— Tipperary GAA (@TipperaryGAA) May 28, 2023
Last but most certainly not least, we move to Munster and the meeting of Tipperary and Waterford.
It was a day set for Premier spoils, as few had given Davy Fitzgerald's Waterford a chance. Liam Cahill's Tipp had fought tooth and nail with the reigning All-Ireland Champions last weekend, knowing that victory in Semple Stadium would seal a Munster Final meeting with Clare.
But, on a beautiful day in Thurles, Waterford burst out of the blocks and refused to let Cahill's side play their game, sealing victory with a scoreline of 1-24 to 0-21.
There’s as many people in Waterford upset with that result as there is in Tipperary.
— Jordan Norris (@jordannorris98) May 28, 2023
For Waterford, frustration was the keyword heading into their final Championship game. With an exit from the All-Ireland series already confirmed, the game was simply an opportunity to avoid a whitewash of defeats.
Despite a splendid victory, many in the County will be shaking their head and wondering why it took so long for that type of performance.
For Tipperary, a potential Munster final has been replaced with a possible banana skin against Offaly, as the Premier men finished in third place and await their preliminary quarter-final clash in two weeks
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