KILKENNY will start their drive for five in the Leinster SHC against Antrim next year.
Derek Lyng’s Cats are to open their provincial round-robin campaign at home to the Saffrons on the weekend of April 20/21.
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Lyng will then do battle with his former team-mate Henry Shefflin in Round 2 when Kilkenny travel to Salthill to face Galway.
The Cats stole this summer’s showpiece at the death against Galway at Croke Park after Cillian Buckley’s last-gasp goal sealed a 4-21 to 2-26 win.
Meanwhile, Wexford will host Dublin and Galway entertain Joe McDonagh Cup champs Carlow in the first round.
The Sky Blues open their campaign with two away games as they then head to Carlow.
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And the Dubs could play their home game against Antrim at Croke Park after requesting the venue for their matches this season.
GAA HQ is double booked for their clash with Kilkenny though, with Bruce Springsteen playing Jones’ Road that day.
Their Round 5 showdown against the Tribesmen may also prove to be a shootout for both teams to reach the provincial decider.
Leinster Council chiefs have confirmed that next summer’s final will be played on Saturday, June 8 at Croke Park. But they also revealed that the 2025 final will take place as a Sunday fixture.
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FIXTURES: Round 1 — April 20/21: Galway v Carlow, Kilkenny v Antrim, Wexford v Dublin. Round 2 — April 27/28: Antrim v Wexford, Carlow v Dublin, Galway v Kilkenny. Round 3 — May 4: Wexford v Galway; May 11: Carlow v Kilkenny, Dublin v Antrim. Round 4 — May 18/19: Antrim v Galway, Carlow v Wexford, Dublin v Kilkenny. Round 5 — May 25: Antrim v Carlow, Galway v Dublin, Kilkenny v Wexford.
