Kildare SHC semis, along with IHC and JHC finals down for decision this weekend

The UMPC Senior Hurling Championships is down to the semi-final stage and this weekend we will know who will be lining out in the decider.

Champions Naas, the roaring hot favourites to make it five senior titles in a row, take on their opponents of last season, Maynooth, on Sunday in Manguard Park, throw-in 4.45 while on Saturday, at the same venue Celbridge will come up against Coill Dubh.

Having clinched their first title in 2019 since back-to-back wins in 2001-2002, Naas have defeated four different opponents in their last four deciders defeating Coill Dubh, Confey, Celbridge and last season Maynooth and while they beat the boys in black by eight points in 2022, they certainly had things not their own way being put to the pin of the collective collars for long periods before eventually pulling clear.

This season Naas have won their games comfortably defeating Coill Dubh, Éire Óg Corra Choill and Ardclough, finishing with a scoring advantage of +48 points — the nearest scoring to that total was Coill Dubh with a -5 total from their three games.

Maynooth on the other hand came second in Group B (Losers section) defeating Confey and Clane, losing to Celbridge and then defeating Éire Óg Corra Choill in the pre-quarter final in a cracking game of hurling — 1-20 t0 2-16.

There is no doubt this is a major challenge for Maynooth and while Naas have been tested, at times in the opening half of some of their games this season but they have always had the ability to pull clear in devastating fashion in the latter part of games.

Jack Sheridan has been in absolute cracking form throughout the season and no doubt the big full forward will continue his scoring spree while Maynooth will be looking mainly to ace-marksman, David Qualter for their scores.

Hard to see anything other than a big win for Naas as they continue on their unrelenting journey for yet another senior hurling title.

The first semi-final, Saturday, could be a lot tighter with Celbridge taking on Coill Dubh

After losing their game to Naas, Celbridge played and defeated Maynooth, Confey and Clane to top Group B (Losers section) to advance to the semi-final. No doubt the former champions, the last side to win a senior title before Naas went on their winning run, will be hoping to make it back to the final since the last time they graced the big day, that in 2021.

Coill Dubh on the other hand finished second in Group A, losing one game (v Naas) while clocking up wins over Éire Óg Corra Choill and Ardclough.

Coill Dubh had back-to-back title wins in 2014-2015 and were last in the decider, against Naas, back in 2019 losing out by just three points.

Coill Dubh will be hoping Mark Delaney will bring his 'A' game to Manguard Park on Saturday as he did when hitting an impressive 2-5 against Ardclough in Round 3 of the Group games while Ryan Casey hit 1-1 coming off the bench that day.

Celbridge's last game against Maynooth was a real competitive one, they led by one at the break before going on to defeat last season's finalists by two — 1-13 to 0-14.

Coill Dubh looked in big trouble against Ardclough in their final game but a late scoring rescued their semi-final ambitions that day turning from what looking like they were out of the competition to booking a place in Saturday's semi-final.

One suspects if they let Celbridge gain the upper hand in this weekend early on they may not have the necessary fire power to get back into it.

Celbridge expected to book a place in the final.

SENIOR B semi FINALS

The semi-finals of the UPMC Senior 'B' will take place on Saturday also, again in Manguard Park where Naas take on Broadford while favs Leixlip will play Moorefield.

Wins expected here for the Naas 2nd squad but no doubt Broadford will give it their all while last season's demoted senior side, Leixlip should have too much for Moorefield as the boys from the north of the county are intent in making their stay at this grade a one season job.

IHC and JHC finals

The UPMC intermediate hurling final has also reached the final stage and on Sunday Maynooth will take on Naas.

These sides have met earlier in the season with Naas recording an eleven point victory over their weekend opponents.

This will be Naas looking for three hurling titles and it is hard to see them not following up with a similar result from the last time these sides met with the boys from the county town recording an eleven point win.

UPMC JHC FINAL

The UPMC Junior final, Tier 4 of hurling in the county will pit Confey against Wolfe Tones.

Wolfe Tones have gone through their group undefeated getting the better of Cappagh, Clane, Leixlip and Round Towers along the way.

While Confey have a similar record with four wins from four, defeating Kilcock, Moorefield, Ross Glas and Naas on their journey.

Very difficult to pick a winner from this one but Confey might just have a stronger defence, but there will be little between the sides.