Laois and Westmeath have safely navigated the choppy waters of the qualifier group and now the big boys come out to play in the Leinster SHC this weekend.

Croke Park plays host to the intriguing quarter-final clash of Dublin and Galway on Sunday with a prize of a semi-final against Offaly or Laois up for grabs.

Anthony Cunningham and Galway are bidding to repeat their Bob O'Keeffe success of 2012 while his namesake Ger Cunningham is plotting a third provincial success for the Metropolitans in the space of three years.

Former Cork custodian Cunningham has shaken things up in terms of team selection since taking over from Anthony Daly late last year and, under his watch, they secured three wins from six outings in Division 1A before losing their semi-final to Cork.

It's a make-or-break year for Anthony Cunningham who has, up until now, failed to deliver on the promise that was generated by his first year at the helm back in 2012.

The Tribesmen have more than their fair share of talented hurlers but their efforts have often been undermined by a lack of consistency and that is something they will have to address in the coming months if they are to have any say at the business end of the championship.

Whoever comes out on top this weekend will quietly fancy their chances of going all the way to the final.

Laois' championship preparations have been thrown into turmoil following the shock resignation of their inspirational manager Seamus 'Cheddar' Plunkett while Brian Whelahan's Offaly are very much a work in progress.

That said, the Faithful County proved against Limerick in Division 1B that you ignore them at your peril and no team can afford to take them for granted.

Wexford, under Liam Dunne, have made great strides in recent years and will be looking to build on the momentum generated by last year's qualifier victories over Clare and Waterford.

Division 1B didn't go according to plan for the Model County but they should prove too strong for Michael Ryan's Westmeath who claimed the scalps of Carlow and Antrim in the qualifier section.

Waiting in the wings for the winners of that last eight clash is Kilkenny.

Since last year's memorable All-Ireland final replay victory over Tipperary, Henry Shefflin, JJ Delaney, Brian Hogan, Tommy Walsh, Aidan Fogarty and David Herity have all walked off into the inter-county sunset.

The Cats' struggles in Division 1A fueled speculation that they could be vulnerable during the summer months.

One constant remains, however, and that is Brian Cody.

Currently putting the finishing touches to preparations for his 17th championship campaign as Kilkenny manager, there is nothing Cody loves more than a challenge and there aren't too many who would bet against him conjuring up another winning formula.

PREDICTIONS:

Champions: Kilkenny; Runners-up: Galway

ODDS (supplied by Ladbrokes)

Kilkenny 4/7; Dublin 4/1; Galway 5/1; Wexford 7/1; Offaly 50/1; Laois 80/1; Westmeath 250/1.

FIXTURES

Quarter-finals

Saturday, May 31st: Dublin v Galway, Croke Park; 2pm

Sunday, June 7th: Laois v Offaly, Portlaoise, 3.30pm

Sunday, June 7th: Westmeath v Wexford, Cusack Park, Mulingar, 3.30pm

Semi-finals

Saturday, June 20th: Dublin/Galway v Offaly/Laois, tbc, 5pm

Sunday, June 21st: Kilkenny v Wexford/Westmeath, tbc, 2pm

Final

Sunday, July 5th: Semi-final winner v Semi-final winner, Croke Park, 4pm

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