Birr have it all to do

All-Ireland hurling champions St Kieran's, Kilkenny travel to Birr tomorrow for the second of three rounds in the Leinster Colleges senior A hurling league - the results of which will determine the quarter-final draw.

St Brendan's Community School, Birr, suffered a heavy defeat in their opening game and are bound to find it difficult against the defending champions. Dublin Colleges - last year's Leinster finalists - travel to Good Counsel today in what should be a closer-run affair. The two other league games this week will see St Peter's, Wexford meeting Cistercian, Roscrea (also today) and Kilkenny CBS meeting Enniscorthy CBS on Friday.

In Munster, St Flannan's, Ennis will this afternoon seek a place in the senior A hurling semi-final when they take on Our Lady's, Templemore - a repeat of last year's Dr Harty Cup final which the Ennis side won with ease.

The most evenly-contested quarter-final is likely to be the all-Cork meeting of St Colman's and Farranferris. The sides share six of this year's Cork minor hurling team, but St Colman's looked particularly impressive in their opening round win over Ard Scoil Ris.

Today's other quarter-final is also an all-Cork affair as Midleton CBS take on Colaiste an Phiarsaigh while the fourth quarter-final - to be played on Friday - has pitched traditional rivals North Monastery, on a roll already, against Thurles CBS.