Local Derbies the order of the day as Seniors face Wexford and Intermediates face Carlow in Leinster Semi Finals

Leinster Senior Championship Semi Final
Wexford vs Kilkenny
Venue: Kennedy Park, New Ross 3.30pm Referee: Pat Kehoe
The Kilkenny senior team will begin the defence of there Leinster senior title when they make the short journey to Kennedy Park, New Ross to take on Wexford on Sunday at 3.30pm.
Kilkenny have being in good form this season that saw them clench there first National League Division one title since 2014 against Galway a fortnight ago. Wexford on the other hand had a mixed league campaign that saw them finished second last in group one of the league table ahead of Dublin on score difference.
They began the league campaign with a 0-13 points to 0-09 victory over Tipperary in the opening round. In the second round Clare proved to strong for the Slaneysiders as they recorded a 1-17 to 0-13 point victory. They bounced back from this defeat with a draw against Dublin 0-12 points apiece. In the fourth round Galway proved too strong on a 1-13 to 1-08 scoreline. In the final round Offaly proved just that bit stronger when they recorded a 1-12 to 0-13 point victory. Wexford were also hit during there league campaign with the announcement of the retirement of All Star and influential forward Ursula Jacob.
Wexford will pose a serious threat for the league champions and after a disappointing league campaign a victory over Kilkenny Sunday will be a serious boost for Wexford ahead of the All Ireland series in just over a months time. They have some talented and highly experienced players among there ranks and contain a very potent forward division. In saying this I feel Kilkenny may just prove that bit too strong for Wexford on Sunday but I do expect a tough physical encounter.

Leinster Intermediate Championship Semi Final
Kilkenny vs Carlow
Venue: Thomastown 2pm Referee: Ray Kelly
The Kilkenny Intermediate team will hope to continue there wining run of form when they take on Carlow in Thomastown on Sunday, after Carlow emerged victorious over Laois in Wednesday nights quarter final replay 0-12 points to 1-07.
The 2015 Junior A All Ireland champions Carlow are having a good season that saw them reaching the league semi finals only to be narrowly edged out by Meath 0-14 points to 1-09.
Last week saw Kilkenny record a good Leinster Quarter final victory over Westmeath 6-09 to 0-07 points with Noelle Maher, Aine Fahey, Jenny Clifford and Angela Kennelly all finding the Wetsmeath net. In the day’s other quarter final Carlow and Laois couldn’t be separated after drawing 2-10 to 1-13 after extra time. In Wednesday night replay Carlow made no mistake and led from start to finish to emerge victorious 0-12 points to 1-07.
The last time the sides met was in round two of the league where Carlow edged out Kilkenny 2-04 to 0-06 points with goals in both half’s proving the difference. Kilkenny will be fully aware of the scoring threat that Carlow process and they will need to keep tabs on Michelle Nolan, Ciara Quirke, and Eleanor Treacy who are well capable of causing a headache for any defence.