Club hurling championship previews

Leinster hurling semi-finals

Leinster hurling semi-finals

St Martin's (Wexford) v Castletown (Laois), Nowlan Park (2.15)

A real toss-up game. St Martin's were impressive in annexing the Wexford title and have county stars Rory McCarthy and John O'Connor as their talismen, while Castletown have the Cuddy brothers performing wonders. Castletown reached the Leinster final last year - and could be set to emulate that feat.

Prediction: Castletown.

READ SOME MORE

Glenmore (Kilkenny) v Birr (Offaly), Dr Cullen Park (2.30, live on TG4)

This is the sort of game which sets the pulse racing and shows just why the club championship has been the undisputed success story of the 1990s. The Whelahans and the Pilkingtons backbone a Birr team who know what it's like to win the provincial (and All-Ireland) title, while Glenmore have Willie and Eddie O'Connor to assist them.

Prediction: Birr.

Munster Hurling Semi-Finals

Toomevara (Tipperary) v St Joseph's Doora-Barefield (Clare), Semple Stadium (2.30)

This is what it's all about. Tipperary, Clare and championship hurling. In last year's provincial final between the two teams, Jamesie O'Connor turned on the style for Doora-Barefield in guiding them to victory and he will be expected to repeat that tomorrow. It'll be a tough task. Toomevara have the benefit of two good championship matches against Limerick's Ahane under their belts and Tommy Dunne is in sparkling form. But two of their top players, Tommy Carroll and Kevin Cummins, are ruled out - and that might be too heavy a burden to carry.

Prediction: Doora-Barefield.

Ballygunner (Waterford) v Blackrock (Cork), Walsh Park (2.30)

Now that they have been given the green light to play (with the threat of a club ban for failing to play an under-21 match lifted), Blackrock will be eager to do the business on the hurling field. Ballygunner won't be pushovers: they reached the Munster final three years ago.

Prediction: Blackrock.

Cork SFC final replay

Nemo Rangers v UCC, Pairc Ui Chaoimh (2.30)

It required Joe Kavanagh's late late show to give Nemo Rangers a second chance in last week's drawn game. On this occasion, they'll be hoping that Kavanagh and his sidekick Colin Corkery can produce the magic a little earlier.

Prediction: Nemo Rangers.

Philip Reid

Philip Reid

Philip Reid is Golf Correspondent of The Irish Times