The St Canice’s Credit Union senior semi-finals take pride of place next Sunday at Nowlan Park.
Three of the teams: the Shamrocks, O'Loughlins and James Stephens were on most people's short list for these semi positions at the start of the year, the odd one out - Erin’s Own who have just returned to the senior ranks in '09 - would have been seen as a team on the up. Many might have expected them to need a year or two to adjust to their new position. The big bonus for the ‘Comer men on their return was that a lot of their youngsters had tasted success at underage level. Last year’s minor county final victory was invaluable and it has certainly given them the appetite for more silverware. The likelihood is that they won't be good enough to land the Walsh Cup this year but you can't buy the experience of playing in a senior semi-final. Their hard-earned victory over Clara last weekend means they now take to the field for the fourth consecutive weekend. Their heavy schedule of late might be taxing on the limbs but I'm sure they would have settled for this situation at the start of the year.
This is Erin’s Own first semi-final appearance since '01 and on that occasion they fell to an experienced and talented Graigue-Ballycallan outfit. In the interim they had bounced back and forth from the intermediate grade...win, lose or draw next Sunday against James Stephens I don't see them dropping down a grade for some time.
The James Stephens side have a wealth of experience to call on. The likes of Philly Larkin, Jackie Tyrrell, Donnacha Cody, Eoin Larkin, Gary Whelan and the McCormack bros have all been there, and as they say 'been there and done that', so a semi final day out for them won't be anything new. I'd expect the Comer boys under the guidance of intercounty selector Martin Fogarty to put up a brave battle, but at the end of the day it’s hard to look beyond the experienced city side.
Ballyhale v O’ Loughlins
The champions Ballyhale Shamrocks put their title on the line once again when they take on O'Loughlin Gaels in the second semi-final. I must admit I am really looking forward to this one. O'Loughlins have been motoring nicely all season, last year they injected some new blood into the side. It was a move that nearly reaped rewards straight away. They were shockingly unlucky against their city rivals, James Stephens this time last year. A little bit more self-belief on the day and they could have reached the final. They obviously have drawn the short straw in Ballyhale Shamrocks but they might as well meet them first as last.
Shamrocks played in fits and starts against Dunnamaggin in the quarter-final, they never looked like losing but their failure to put away opposition that is inferior to them does raise questions. Maybe it could have the opposite effect - that they will now be forewarned for next Sunday’s encounter. There isn't much more to say about the champions. Ballyhale Shamrocks seem to be on a mission all year after their disappointing performance against Portumna last February. The new management setup of Michael Fennelly (Snr ), Brendan Mason, and a certain James McGarry seems to have refreshed and refocused the players. The last manager Maurice Aylward did magnificent work during his term, to land three county titles and a club All-Ireland but they did seem to be getting a little stale.
The one thing the champions must avoid is looking beyond a Kilkenny title; they have got to take one game at a time. Over the last number of weeks last year’s county champions in Tipperary, Waterford, Offaly and Wexford have all fallen by the wayside. The O'Loughlin’s side have plenty of ammunition upfront to trouble the Shamrocks rearguard but the jury is still out on their defence...have they got the ability to hold the Shamrocks lethal sector from 8 to 15? The O'Loughlin mentors could elect to drop someone back to help out around the halfback line but if they take this option it will limit their scoring power. I think they will have to stand toe to toe and take their chances. I have been impressed by the O'Loughlin's outfit but not enough to suggest that they are ready to lower the champion’s colours. It has to be the Shamrocks for me, mind you; the way I'm tipping lately the O'Loughlin's lads should be delighted.
Tullaroan v Young Ireland’s
The senior relegation decider between Tullaroan and Young Ireland's takes place on Saturday in Callan at 4.30pm.
This game is every bit as important to the players as the county semi-finals are to all involved. Two proud clubs that have crossed swords on many occasions down the years will once again battle it out for the right to remain senior. I'm sure I'll be forgiven if I don't call this one; the only thing I will say is that if the last two relegation deciders are anything to go by it should be a cracker. This is Gowran's first outing in the Callan venue since 1998. That statistic will surprise a few. On that occasion it was also a relegation game I hope it has the same result.
Dicksboro v Rower Inistioge
Dicksboro take on the Rower Inistioge in the intermediate semi-final on Saturday for the right to play St Lactains in the final, another hard one to call. In fact all three teams left in the race have strong claims and any of them would hold their own at the higher level. The Rower Inistioge huffed and puffed a bit in their quarter-final victory over Conahy Shamrocks last weekend, on the other hand Dicksboro seemed to have a comfortable victory over Tullogher-Rosbercon in the replay. I tipped the Rower Inistioge in last week’s column to win out this grade so I won't desert them, mind you they will have to be sharper in front of the posts. Dicksboro have loads of talent coming through and could come away with a victory here, it's simply that close - it's all on the day.
The two games that I haven’t touched on are the Intermediate relegation battle between Thomastown and Graiguenamanagh and the Northern Junior final between Bennettsbridge and Blacks and Whites, both will be tight affairs.
Congratulations to PJ Ryan and Henry Shefflin on their recent player of the month awards. This accolade is nothing new for the Ballyhale man but PJ's award will surely see him win Kilkenny’s first goalkeeping All-star since Michael Walsh back in the early nineties. James McGarry will be to the forefront of every one's thoughts when it happens. I may be presumptuous here, but if PJ doesn't get one, Kilkenny players could have every right to boycott the night.
