Path to All-Ireland hurling final for Cork and Limerick becomes clearer after Galway destroy Dublin

The path to the All-Ireland hurling final on July 19 became that bit clearer after Galway's emphatic victory over Dublin in the Leinster decider.

It means the Tribe move into the All-Ireland semi-final on Saturday, July 4, where they'll take on the losers of the Munster final, Cork or Limerick, assuming they beat Offaly on June 20-21. The other semi-final on Sunday, July 5, will feature the winner of Cork and Limerick against Clare or Dublin, though Offaly could have a say about that yet. 

Clare and Offaly making it through the quarter-finals would leave us with Galway-Clare and Limerick/Cork v Offaly.

Galway were highly impressive on Saturday evening. 

Micheál O'Donoghue's side had an impressive league but, after demolishing Kilkenny in the provincial group stages, their form had been slightly patchy, including a home loss to the Dubs. They gained the sweetest revenge and a first Leinster title since 2018 after a 4-29 to 4-15 triumph with Tom Monaghan nailing 0-7 from play and Conor Whelan five points.

They swarmed midfield and made it very difficult for Dublin, whose fans made up the majority of the crowd of 46,463, to create decent scoring chances out the field or go direct to John Hetherton. In contrast, Galway were able to find runners and shooters well. There were six goals in the last quarter shared between the sides but Galway's 1-22 to 1-14 advantage midway through the second half reflected their dominance. 

The Tribe completed a clean sweep of minor, U20 and senior provincial trophies this summer.

Limerick are bookies favourites for the Munster final and if they live up to that billing, Cork's road to a third All-Ireland final appearance in a row would be through Offaly and Galway.

Cork have an appalling record against Galway in the modern era. Since the epic 14-man victory in Thurles in 2008 when Joe Deane, Ben O'Connor and Cathal Naughton fired the Rebels to glory after Donal Óg Cusack's red card, they've lost meetings in 2009, 2011, '12, '15 and 2022. The 2012 clash was an All-Ireland semi-final but the other games were outside Croker.

If Ben O'Connor's side retain the Munster crown, they could only meet Galway on July 18.

ALL-IRELAND SERIES:

June 20-21: 

All-Ireland hurling quarter-finals: 

Dublin v Clare, Offaly v Cork or Limerick.

July 4-5: 

All-Ireland semi-finals: 

Leinster champions Galway on Saturday. They can't play Dublin or the Munster winners. 

Munster champions on Sunday. They can play Clare, Dublin or Offaly.

July 19: 

All-Ireland final with provision for a replay on August 1.