The eight best hurling teams in the country are heading for Croke Park next weekend to decide which four make it to the semi-finals of the 2007 Guinness All-Ireland championships. It's a quarter-final spectacular with the postponed games from last Sunday taking place on Saturday followed by two more on Sunday. The exciting line-up is as follows Guinness All-Ireland quarter-finals: Saturday 28TH July Tipperary v Wexford, 2.0 Galway v Kilkenny, 4.0 Sunday 29th July Clare v Limerick, 2.0 Cork v Waterford, 4.0 GALWAY v KILKENNY They meet for the fourth successive year and for the sixth time this decade in what has become a very intense rivalry. Galway won in 2001 and 2005 while Kilkenny triumphed in 2000-2004-2006. Games between the counties have been extremely high scoring with the last two alone yielding a total of 14-72. Kilkenny have scored a total of 10-60 (Average 3-21) in their last three clashes with Galway who have averaged 3-14 so fans have every reason to expect another thrilling high-scoring contest. Kilkenny are bidding to reach the All-Ireland semi-final for the 11th successive year. They last time they failed to make the last four was in 1996 when they lost a Leinster quarter-final clash to Wexford. In the same period, Galway have reached the semi-final four times (1996-2000-2001-2005). It's the first time since 1999 that rival managers, Brian Cody (Kilkenny) and Ger Loughnane (Galway) have encountered each other in the championship. Cody, who was in his first season in 1999, led Kilkenny to a 2-14 to 1-13 win over a Loughnane-managed Clare in the All-Ireland semi-final. Kilkenny beat Galway by 1-19 to 0-18 when the sides met in the National League in Nowlan Park last April. How they reached the Quarter-Finals GALWAY Galway 3-20 Laois 1-14 (All-Ireland qualifier) Clare 2-10 Galway 0-10 (All-Ireland qualifier) Galway 2-31 Antrim 1-9 (All-Ireland qualifier) KILKENNY Kilkenny 1-27 Offaly 1-13 (Leinster semi-final) Kilkenny 2-24 Wexford 1-12 (Leinster final) Last ten Championship clashes Kilkenny lead 6-4 in their last ten championship clashes with Galway, stretching back to 1986. 2006 - Kilkenny 2-22 Galway 3-14 (All-Ireland quarter-final) 2005 - Galway 5-18 Kilkenny 4-18 (All-Ireland semi-final) 2004 - Kilkenny 4-20 Galway 1-10 (All-Ireland qualifiers) 2001 - Galway 2-15 Kilkenny 1-13 (All-Ireland semi-final) 2000 - Kilkenny 2-19 Galway 0-17 (All-Ireland semi-final) 1997 - Kilkenny 4-15 Galway 3-16 (All-Ireland quarter-final) 1993 - Kilkenny 2-17 Galway 1-15 (All-Ireland final) 1992 - Kilkenny 2-13 Galway 1-12 (All-Ireland semi-final) 1987 - Galway 1-12 Kilkenny 0-9 (All-Ireland final) 1986 - Galway 4-12 Kilkenny 0-13 (All-Ireland semi-final) All-Ireland Quarter Final record (1997-2006) GALWAY 2006 - Kilkenny 2-22 Galway 3-14 2005 - Galway 2-20 Tipperary 2-18 2002 - Clare 1-15 Galway 0-17 2001 - Galway 4-23 Derry 1-11 2000 - Galway 1-14 Tipperary 0-15 1999 - Clare 3-18 Galway 2-14 (replay) 1999 - Clare 3-15 Galway 2-18 (draw) 1998 - Waterford 1-20 Galway 1-10 1997 - Kilkenny 4-15 Galway 3-16 Played 9, Won 3, Drew 1, Lost 5. KILKENNY 2006 - Kilkenny 2-22 Galway 3-14 2005 - Kilkenny 0-18 Limerick 0-13 2004 - Kilkenny 1-11 Clare 0-9 (replay) 2004 - Kilkenny 1-13 Clare 1-13 (draw) 1997 - Kilkenny 4-15 Galway 3-16 Played 5, Won 4, Drew 1. TIPPERARY v WEXFORD Its the first time since 2001 that the counties have met in the championship and only the tenth time in all in a rivalry that stretches back to 1899. Their 2001 tie went to a replay after the sides had fought out an exciting draw in the All-Ireland semi-final but Tipperary proved too good second time around. Wexford are seeking their first championship win over Tipperary since 1968 and their third in all. Remarkably, this will be Tipps seventh game in this years championship, having won three, drawn two and lost one of the previous six. Wexford have had two outings, winning one and losing one. How they reached the Quarter-Finals TIPPERARY Tipperary 1-19 Limerick 1-19 (Munster quarter-final). Tipperary 2-21 Limerick 1-24 Replay (After extra-time). Limerick 0-22 Tipperary 2-13 2nd Replay (After extra-time). Tipperary 2-17 Offaly 2-13 (All-Ireland qualifier). Tipperary 1-20 Dublin 1-11 (All-Ireland qualifier). Tipperary 2-16 Cork 1-18 (All-Ireland qualifier). WEXFORD Wexford 2-14 Dublin 3-10 (Leinster semi-final) Kilkenny 2-24 Wexford 1-12 (Leinster final) All nine previous championship clashes 2001: Tipperary 3-12 Wexford 0-10 (All-Ireland semi-final) Replay 2001: Tipperary 1-16 Wexford 3-10 (All-Ireland semi-final) Draw 1997: Tipperary 2-16 Wexford 0-15 (All-Ireland semi-final) 1968: Wexford 5-8 Tipperary 3-12 (All-Ireland final) 1965: Tipperary 2-16 Wexford 0-10 (All-Ireland final) 1962: Tipperary 3-10 Wexford 2-11 (All-Ireland final) 1960: Wexford 2-15 Tipperary 0-11 (All-Ireland final) 1951: Tipperary 7-7 Wexford 3-9 (All-Ireland final) 1899: Tipperary 3-12 Wexford 1-4 (All-Ireland final: Unfinished - Tipperary awarded title) Tipperary 6, Wexford 2, Draw 1. ALL-IRELAND QUARTER-FINAL RECORD (1997-2006) TIPPERARY 2006 - Waterford 1-22 Tipperary 3-13 2005 - Galway 2-20 Tipperary 2-18 2003 - Tipperary 2-16 Offaly 2-11 2002 - Tipperary 1-25 Antrim 2-12 2000 - Galway 1-14 Tipperary 0-15 1997 - Tipperary 3-24 Down 3-8 Played 6, Won 3, Lost 3. WEXFORD 2006 - Clare 1-27 Wexford 1-15 2005 - Clare 1-20 Wexford 0-12 2003 - Wexford 2-15 Antrim 2-12 2001 - Wexford 4-10 Limerick 2-15 Played 4, Won 2, Lost 2 CLARE v LIMERICK It's one of the great local rivalries in hurling, yet surprisingly last years qualifier tie was the first championship clash between them for ten years. Clare were the easiest of winners last year, beating Limerick by 2-21 to 0-10, a result that led to the resignation of Joe McKenna as Limerick manager and the appointment of Richie Bennis. Limerick have done well under Bennis winning three, drawing two and losing two of their seven championship games. Tony Considine, who is in his first season as Clare manager, comes off a three-match winning run in the qualifiers after losing the Munster quarter-final to Cork. Clare will be appearing in their 8th All-Ireland quarter-final, having won four, drawn two and lost one of their previous seven appearances. Limerick have yet to win a quarter-final, having lost in 2001-2005-2006. How they reached the Quarter-Finals CLARE Cork 1-18 Clare 1-11 (Munster quarter-final) Clare 3-21 Antrim 2-15 (Qualifier) Clare 2-10 Galway 0-14 (Qualifier) Clare 2-14 Laois 1-11 (Qualifier) LIMERICK Limerick 1-19 Tipperary 1-19 (Munster quarter-final) Limerick 1-24 Tipperary 2-21 (Replay - after extra-time) Limerick 0-22 Tipperary 2-13 (Replay - after extra-time) Waterford 3-17 Waterford 1-14 (Munster final) Last ten Championship Clashes 2006: Clare 2-21 Limerick 0-10 (All-Ireland qualifiers) 1996: Limerick 1-13 Clare 0-15 (Munster semi-final) 1995: Clare 1-17 Limerick 0-11 (Munster final) 1994: Limerick 0-25 Clare 2-10 (Munster final) 1993: Clare 3-16 Limerick 3-12 (Munster quarter-final) 1991: Limerick 0-21 Clare 1-15 (Munster quarter-final) 1990: Limerick 2-16 Clare 1-5 (Munster quarter-final) 1986: Clare 2-14 Limerick 0-14 (Munster quarter-final) 1980: Limerick 3-13 Clare 2-9 (Munster semi-final) 1979: Limerick 3-19 Clare 4-12 (Munster semi-final) Limerick 6, Clare 4. ALL-IRELAND QUARTER-FINAL RECORD (1997-2006) CLARE 1999: Clare 3-15 Galway 2-18 1999: Clare 3-18 Galway 2-14 (replay) 2002: Clare 1-15 Galway 1-14 2004: Kilkenny 1-13 Clare 1-13 2004: Kilkenny 1-11 Clare 0-9 (replay) 2005: Clare 1-20 Wexford 0-12 2006: Clare 1-27 Wexford 1-15 LIMERICK 2001: Wexford 4-10 Limerick 2-15 2005: Kilkenny 0-18 Limerick 0-13 2006: Cork 0-19 Limerick 0-18 CORK v WATERFORD This will be the ninth championship clash between them since 1999. They have met each year since 2002 and actually met twice in 2005 and are now heading for their second clash again this season. Waterford beat Cork in an epic Munster semi-final in June, out-scoring their great rivals by 5-15 to 3-18 in Thurles. This will be the 56th championship meeting between the counties, with the score standing at 41-11 in Corks favour with three draws. How they reached the Quarter-Finals CORK Cork 1-18 Clare 1-11 (Munster quarter-final) Waterford 5-15 Cork 3-18 (Munster semi-final) Cork 3-20 Dublin 0-15 (Qualifier) Cork 1-27 Offaly 0-11 (Qualifier) Tipperary 2-16 Cork 1-18 (Qualifier) WATERFORD Waterford 5-15 Cork 3-18 (Munster semi-final) Waterford 3-17 Limerick 1-14 (Munster final) Last Ten Championship Clashes 2007: Waterford 5-15 Cork 3-18 (Munster semi-final) 2006: Cork 1-16 Waterford 1-15 (All-Ireland semi-final) 2005: Cork 1-18 Waterford 1-13 (All-Ireland quarter-final) 2005: Cork 2-17 Waterford 2-15 (Munster semi-final) 2004: Waterford 3-16 Cork 1-21 (Munster final) 2003: Cork 3-16 Waterford 3-12 (Munster final) 2002: Waterford 1-16 Cork 1-15 (Munster semi-final) 1999: Cork 0-24 Waterford 1-15 (Munster semi-final) 1991: Cork 2-10 Waterford 0-13 (Munster semi-final) 1990: Cork 4-15 Waterford 1-8 (Munster semi-final) Cork 7, Waterford 3. ALL-IRELAND QUARTER-FINAL RECORD (1997-2006) CORK 2004: Cork 2-26 Antrim 0-10 2005: Cork 1-18 Waterford 1-13 2006: Cork 0-19 Limerick 0-18 WATERFORD 1998: Waterford 1-20 Galway 1-10 2005: Cork 1-18 Waterford 1-13 2006: Waterford 1-22 Tipperary 3-13 GUINNESS HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP 2007 LEINSTER May 27: Quarter-final: Offaly 1-26 Laois 0-10, Tullamore. June 9: Semi-final: Wexford 2-14 Dublin 3-10, Nowlan Park June 10: Semi-final: Kilkenny 1-27 Offaly 1-13, Portlaoise. July 1: Final: Kilkenny 2-24 Wexford 1-12, Croke Park. MUNSTER May 27: Quarter-final: Cork 1-18 Clare 1-11, Thurles. June 10: Semi-final: Limerick 1-19 Tipperary 1-19, Gaelic Grounds. June 16: Semi-final (replay): Limerick 1-24 Tipperary 2-21, Thurles (after extra-time) June 17: Semi-final: Waterford 5-15 Cork 3-18, Thurles. June 24: Semi-final (2nd replay): Limerick 0-22 Tipperary 2-13, Gaelic Grounds (after extra-time) July 8: Final: Waterford 3-17 Limerick 1-14, Thurles ULSTER May 13: Quarter-final: Derry 1-14 Armagh 0-16 Casement Park, Semi-final: Antrim 4-16 London 3-8, Casement Park. May 20: Semi-final: Down 1-13 Derry 0-16, Casement Park. May 26: Semi-final (replay) Down 5-16 Derry 1-15, Casement Park June 3: Final: Antrim 2-24 Down 0-4, Casement Park. ALL-IRELAND QUALIFIERS June 30: Group 1A: Clare 3-21 Antrim 2-15, Casement Park. Galway 3-20 Laois 1-14, Portlaoise. Group 1B: Cork 3-20 Dublin 0-15, Parnell Park. Tipperary 2-17 Offaly 2-13, Thurles. July 7: Group 1A: Clare 2-10 Galway 0-14, Ennis. Antrim 1-23 Laois 1-13, Casement Park. Group 1B: Cork 1-27 Offaly 0-11, Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Tipperary 1-20 Dublin 1-11, Parnell Park. July 14: Group 1A: Galway 2-31 Antrim 1-9, Pearse Stadium. Clare 2-14 Laois 1-11, Portlaoise. Group 1B: Offaly 2-25 Dublin 2-13, Tullamore. Tipperary 2-16 Cork 1-18, Thurles. ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIPS Next Saturday: Quarter-finals: Tipperary v Wexford, Galway v Kilkenny (Both in Croke Park) Next Sunday: Quarter-finals: Clare v Limerick, Cork v Waterford (Both in Croke Park) August 5: All-Ireland semi-final: Tipperary or Wexford v Galway or Kilkenny, Croke Park. August 12: All-Ireland semi-final: Clare or Limerick v Cork or Waterford, Croke Park. September 2: All-Ireland final, Croke Park. Tweet

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