Semi-final spectacular | Maradona of hurling | managers cut from same cloth | Cats not one-man team

Shane Stapleton and Michael Verney preview the two All-Ireland SHC semi-final clashes: Galway v Limerick, Waterford v Kilkenny.

BY SHANE STAPLETON
The hurling season has moved at breakneck speed and once again we’re in for a fantastic weekend of action.

Liam Cahill has brought Waterford on in leaps and bounds during his first season in charge, and will now get a chance to lead his charges out at Croke Park on the big stage.

Brian Cody has been here many times over the years, and confidence will be high in the Marble County camp after claiming a first Leinster title since 2016.

They took care of Galway in that decider, with Shane O’Neill’s troops failing to put the finishing touches to lots of good approach play.

The Tribe have had to go the back-door route but dug deep to dethrone 2019 All-Ireland champions Tipperary last weekend.

It is a quick turnaround to a heavyweight clash with a Limerick side who have so far beaten Clare and Tipp with plenty to spare, before handling a Deise charge in the Munster final.

Shane Stapleton and Michael Verney analsyse the two matches, the similarities of the four managers, the big match-ups, and ask who is the Diego Maradona of hurling.

We also preview the Lory Meagher Cup final between Louth and Fermanagh, and cast an eye over the Joe McDonagh games going ahead this weekend.

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Fixtures (Saturday, unless stated)
All-Ireland SHC Semi-finals
Kilkenny vs Waterford, Croke Park, 18.00
Limerick vs Galway, Croke Park Sunday 16.00

Joe McDonagh Cup round 5
Meath vs Antrim, Páirc Tailteann, 13.00
Westmeath vs Carlow, TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, 13.00

Lory Meagher Cup final
Fermanagh vs Louth, Croke Park, 15.30

Last week’s results:
Galway 3-23 Tipperary 2-24
Waterford 3-27 Clare 3-18
Westmeath 2-20 Meath 1-19
Kerry 2-22 Carlow 1-23
Kildare 3-16 Down 0-22
Donegal 3-18 Mayo 0-21

Video time stamps (approx):
00:00 Intro, and who is the Maradona of hurling?
03:30 Similar breeds of men on the sidelines
09:30 Is John Kiely there for the long haul?
14:20 Kilkenny v Waterford preview
18:30 Is it too soon for Waterford?
23:00 Waterford’s style of play unpacked
30:00 Kilkenny not a one-man team
41:00 Lory Meagher final preview: Louth v Fermanagh
42:30 Limerick v Galway preview
50:30 Glorious match-up battles
66:30 Joe McDonagh Cup