Today’s previews
FOOTBALL
Munster club SFC semi-finals Miltown-Malbay (Clare) v Clonmel Commercials (Tipperary), Miltown-Malbay, 1.30pm
MUCH will depend on how quickly Clonmel clear the heads in the aftermath of their 18th county title success last week.
However, the facile nature of that win – they romped to a 21point success over JK Brackens – should make that task a tad easier as they seek to return to a Munster final for the first time since the most celebrated day in the club’s history in 2015.
It is difficult to gauge where this team is in relation to the one that sank Nemo Rangers four years ago on the strength of that county final win, although Brackens had reached the final on merit after dethroning Moyle Rovers.
And there is no disputing the quality within the group, not least in former All-Star forward Michael Quinlivan, who will be unavailable to Tipperary next year, but it is not as if their hosts are shy in that department.
Eoin Cleary was at his impressive best against Rathgormac last weekend, scoring 1-5, but he needed to be as the Clare champions, who are seeking to reach back-to-back provincial finals, required extra time to get over the line.
Verdict: Clonmel Commercials
Nemo Rangers (Cork) v Austin Stacks (Kerry), Páirc Uí Rinn, 1.30
THIS is a pairing that should have a heavyweight feel to it, but circumstances have dictated otherwise.
Austin Stacks have qualified by virtue of winning the Kerry senior club championship played earlier in the season rather than winning the county championship – which was won by divisional side East Kerry last weekend – which leaves them light on match practice and momentum.
In contrast, Nemo are hardly shy on either of those fronts although it is likely that they got more than they asked for last weekend when pushed hard by Limerick champions Newcastle West.
There was a double-digit scoring spread in that match, but it ended up a one-score game.
That reminds no opposition should be taken lightly in this championship and Nemo have some work to do if they are to challenge for an All-Ireland.
But they have more than enough, not least in Luke Connolly, to get the business done here with some degree of comfort. Verdict: Nemo Rangers
Ulster club SFC semi-final Derrygonnelly (Fermanagh) v Kilcoo (Down), Athletic Grounds, 3pm Live RTE2
IT IS easy to script this as a David and Goliath affair, but the reality is somewhat different.
True, Kilcoo are seeking to reach their third final this decade while Derrygonnelly are seeking to reach the final for the first time in their history.
That stat ignores the experience which the Fermanagh champions – who are seeking to become the first from the county to reach the decider since Enniskillen Gaels in 2002 – have built up over the past five years, and it is telling too.
Having disposed of Antrim champions Cargin in the preliminary round, it could be argued they rode their luck in the quarter-final against Trillick when they bought the winning ticket in a penalty shootout lottery.
But they also showed nerve and resolve, not least in coming from four points down in the second period of extra-time, to take it that far and when you possess players of the quality of the
Jones brothers, Ryan and Conall, you have always got a chance.
However, there is a sense that the Down champions have been building for this year.
Twice this decade – 2012 and ’16 – they have reached and lost Ulster finals and the sound of that clock ticking is getting ever louder.
Their high-powered attack – manned by the Johnstons, Ryan and Jerome, Paul Devlin and Conor Laverty – should have enough to get the job done.
Verdict: Kilcoo
HURLING
Leinster Club SHC semi-final St Mullins (Carlow) v Rathdowney-Errill (Laois), Netwatch Dr Cullen Park, 1.30pm
Live TG4 NO matter what way this rolls history will be made as one of these clubs reaches a Leinster final for the first time.
Indeed, Rathdowney-Errill are seeking to become the first club from the O’Moore County to reach a provincial final since Camross lost to Birr after a replay in 2000.
The manner in which St Ryangh’s were put to the sword by Rathdowney-Errill suggests that the Laois men are in a rich vein of form and if Marty Kavanagh can come close to the 1-10 he scored in that game, they will have one foot in the final.
However, St Mullins’ one-point win over Cuala – seen as the team to beat for the All-Ireland – suggests that Kavanagh and his team-mates are in for a whole different ball game.
Verdict: St Mullins