If Dublin can overcome Kilkenny in the counties' Leinster semi-final replay next Saturday, one outcome will be a renewal of hurling's abiding rivalry between Tipperary and Kilkenny, albeit at the much earlier than expected stage of Phase Two of the All-Ireland qualifiers.

The counties have met in the past four All-Ireland championships with Tipp’s sole victory the 2010 final. If All-Ireland champions Kilkenny emerge from the replay it will mean a Dublin-Tipperary qualifier, a re-run of the 2011 All-Ireland semi-final, won by Tipp and – less encouragingly for Dublin – this year’s league semi-final in April, which saw a big victory for Tipperary.

In the other qualifier Laois, enjoying a much improved season and narrowly beaten by Leinster champions Galway in the recent provincial semi-final, must travel to Clare, who lost out disappointingly yesterday to Cork in the Munster semi-final.

Details of the fixtures will be announced by the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee later today. All-Ireland SHC qualifiers Phase Two (July 6th): Clare v Laois; Dublin/Kilkenny v Tipperary.