NEWS ROUND-UP:THE LEINSTER Council have confirmed that Croke Park will stage a double-header of provincial hurling semi-finals on Sunday June 20th, with All-Ireland champions Kilkenny playing either Dublin or Laois at 2pm, followed by Galway against Offaly at 4pm.

The winners will then meet in the Leinster final, back in Croke Park, on July 4th.

Dublin face Laois in Nowlan Park in Kilkenny this Sunday for the right to make that semi-final date, in what is the first championship meeting between the sides since 2005.

On that occasion, Laois surprised Dublin 4-14 to 0-14, although Dublin, who made last year’s Leinster final, are fancied to make it through this time.

There is good news for Dublin manager Anthony Daly in that full back Tomás Brady and forward Peter Kelly are available for selection.

Brady had been carrying a knee injury and Kelly a hamstring complaint, but both featured in last week’s challenge game against Clare.

However, there are still some injury concerns over David O’Callaghan and David Treacy.

Laois have already recorded a 1-13 to 0-10 win over Carlow in the first round, last Saturday week, and manager Niall Rigney has midfielder Joe Fitzpatrick, who hit 1-3 against Carlow, back to full fitness.

In football, meanwhile, Kildare will definitely be without forward Ken Donnelly for their Leinster quarter-final against Louth in Navan on Saturday evening.

Donnelly is out for the rest of the season having sustained a cruciate knee ligament injury in a recent challenge against Sligo.

Last season’s outstanding wing back Mikey Conway is also ruled out as he struggles to recover from a similar injury sustained last season, and is unlikely to play any role in the Kildare’s Leinster championship campaign.

But there is better news regarding midfielder Dermot Earley, who is available for selection after recovering from his knee injury.

Louth are awaiting a fitness update on full forward Shane Lennon, who injured a thumb in the first round win over Longford last Sunday week.

Midfielder Ronan Carroll is ruled out due to a knee injury.