Shane Stapleton and Michael Verney of the Irish Independent preview the big games in Club Talk: Hurling as Ballyhale Shamrocks take on Dicksboro and O’Callaghans Mills battle Sixmilebridge in county finals.
Ballyhale went 17 minuets without scoring in their semi-final win over James Stephens, and Dicksboro may need to do something similar if they are to dethrone the Kilkenny champions.
Our preview looks at the key factors ahead of Sunday’s final and where the Boro might get some joy (see also our preview with Cats goalkeeper Eoin Murphy).
Davy Fitzgerald is hoping to coach Sixmilebridge to another Clare title this weekend but Pat Donnellan and O’Callaghans Mills — who beat Ballyea in the semi-final — will hope to upset the apple cart.
There are semi-finals in Cork, Offaly, Laois and Galway (see preview with David Connors), with plenty of other big championship clashes across the land.
SATURDAY
Cork SHC semi-final – Páirc Uí Chaoimh: Blackrock v UCC, 4.0; Páirc Uí Chaoimh: Glen Rovers v Erins Own, 7.30
Meath SHC semi-final – Páirc Tailteann: Trim v Kildalkey, 5.0
Offaly SHC semi-final – Birr: Belmont v Kilcormac-Killoughey, 4.30
SUNDAY
Armagh SHC final – Athletic Grounds: Cuchulainn v Middletown Na Fianna, 4.0
Clare SHC final – Cusack Pk: O’Callaghans Mills v Sixmilebridge, 3.0
Galway SHC semi-final – Turloughmore v Cappataggle, 12.0
Kilkenny SHC final – Nowlan Pk: Shamrocks Ballyhale v Dicksboro, 2.30
Laois SHC semi-finals – O’Moore Pk: Rathdowney Errill v Borris-in-Ossory Kilcotton, 1.30; O’Moore Pk: Rosenallis v Clough/Ballacolla, 3.30
Meath SHC semi-final – Páirc Tailteann: Ratoath v Na Fianna CLG, 5.0
Offaly SHC semi-final – O’Connor Pk: Birr v St Rynaghs, 4.30
Roscommon SHC final – Dr Hyde Pk: Athleague v Pádraig Pearses, 1.0
Sligo SHC final – Markievicz Pk: Naomh Eoin v Easkey, 4.30
Wicklow SHC final – Aughrim: Bray Emmets v Carnew Emmets, 4.30
Want more?
Watch the Galway SFC and SHC semi-finals previews with David Connors of the Tuam Herald.
Watch the Dublin SFC final preview with Conor McKeon.
Watch the Kilkenny SHC final preview with Eoin Murphy.
Video time stamps (approx)
00:00 Intro and Kilkenny SHC final12:30: Clare SHC final
22:00 Cork SHC semi-finals
30:00 Offaly SHC semi-finals
35:00 Galway SHC semi-final
39:30 Laois SHC semi-final
43:00 Eddie Brennan concerns
48:00 Round-up of other clashes
