Weekend GAA previews: Sarsfields and Ballygunner can edge Munster SHC semi-finals
In The Bee First Sarsfields Final Picture: ©inpho/bryan Keane Shc Reach Big Eight They Will Beat Cork Munster Side Feakle The Clare's If Chance: Can To
It’s been an incredible year for Watergrasshill and if they’re not too tired of confounding their poor form of recent years, they can qualify for a final here. Wolfe Tones, though, have a lot of senior experience and may be able to tilt this semi-final their way.
Wolfe Tones.
Postponed from last weekend following a bereavement in the Erne Gaels club, Scotstown can make the trip to Enniskillen worthwhile.
Scotstown.
It would be insulting to Portaferry to suggest this is the real provincial final but this was the decider last year and Slaughtneil will be out to avoid a repeat of that result. Cushendall, though, still appear to have the edge over them.
Ruairí Óg, Cushendall.
Shane Meehan’s class notwithstanding, the win over Feenagh-Kilmeedy in their quarter-final may just stand to the travelling party.
Kilrossanty.
Moyle Rovers had a relatively handy time of it against Kilgarvan but Russell Rovers are a seasoned group and know what it takes to win this provincial competition.
Russell Rovers.
The dirtier the weather, the more Loughmore-Castleiney seem to thrive but Sunday is forecast to be a relatively good day and the Walsh Park sod is supposed to be in good nick. Ballygunner should thrive in those conditions and will be all the better for the test Doon gave them. At the same time, they will be physically matched here and the Tipperary champions feel they have a few wrongs to right from their previous clash. If Loughmore-Castleiney make this a war of attrition, they can prevail. John McGrath is in the type of form to break most club teams but Ballygunner’s collective strength should be the clincher.
Ballygunner.
Shane McGrath was the toast of the Clare championship this year and much of Sarsfield’s defensive resources will be devoted to shackling him. Where Sarsfields’ heads will be after losing last month’s Cork PSHC final to Imokilly is the question. Recalibrate for this and show the championship and opposition enough respect and they can become the first Cork club to reach a senior Munster final since Glen Rovers eight years ago.
Sarsfields.
Clough-Ballacolla have been known to pack a punch but it was a strong Dublin championship that Na Fianna came through and they won’t be stopped at the first hurdle in Leinster.
Na Fianna.
Castletown-Geoghegan (Westmeath) v Thomastown (Kilkenny), TEG Cusack Park 1.30pm (C. Daly, Kildare).
The presence of former Westmeath footballer Alan Mangan on the Castletown-Geoghegan sideline has attracted interest this week. He will need a sophisticated gameplan to stop in-form John Donnelly.
Thomastown.
It can’t go without saying that the Kildare champions are favourites to beat the cream of Wexford. That underlines just how far Naas hurling has come in recent years. St Martin’s have star power but may fall a little bit shy of the hosts.
Naas.
There’s no doubting Kilcormac-Killoughey’s clout in Offaly but the next step is to demonstrate their worth in the provincial championship.
Kilcormac-Killoughey.
Rescheduled because of fog in Westmeath on Tuesday evening, St Loman’s should have little difficulty in qualifying for a semi-final against Ardee next weekend.
St Loman’s.
Abbeydorney provided great drama in seeing off Brickey Rangers after extra-time to reach this semi-final. Cashel’s win over Newcastle West had plenty of twists and turns too. The likes of Eoghan Connolly and Devon Ryan bring a lot of momentum with them to Kerry and should make the final.
Cashel King Cormacs.