PREVIEW: Match-ups to be worth entry fees alone ahead of final four clashes in Tipperary

The last four clashes of the FBD Insurance County Hurling Championships are in clear focus ahead of a weekend with so much at stake for all clubs still chasing county glory across the grades.

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Senior Hurling Championship semi-finals

Loughmore Castleiney vs Holycross Ballycahill

Loughmore Castleiney continue their search for a first-ever back-to-back in the hurling championship, and the upcoming clash against new kids on the block in Holycross Ballycahill certainly has an air of the master versus the student!

That might be unkind to Holycross Ballycahill, though, who will have no end of confidence coming into this game with a comprehensive run through their group, and a facile dismissal of Cashel King Cormacs in the quarter-final added to their fast-growing resumé of conquests recently.

The presence of 11 U21 starters in their starting team could be seen as a plus or a minus going into this one, as they face a team at the other end of their lifecycle with experience and know-how on the big days amongst their biggest weapons.

Loughmore Castleiney dismissed Toomevara with consummate ease themselves a fortnight ago, and even had the luxury of resting Noel and John McGrath in the football quarter-final win over Ballina last Sunday, so they are gearing up fully for this one.

Holycross Ballycahill have also benefited from the return of Bryan O’Mara and Jim Ryan to their side in recent weeks, and that has added massively to a team that was already performing well, and the game against Cashel was perfect to get them fully up to speed for what is to come.

The price of admission will be worthwhile just for the sight of Cathal Barrett and John McGrath going toe-to-toe, but while Holycross Ballcahill have made immeasurable progress to date, this might prove to be a year too soon for what is undoubtedly a team coming for county honours in the next few years.

Verdict: Loughmore Castleiney

Nenagh Éire Óg vs Drom & Inch

A tie that few would have predicted at the start of the year, but both have more than justified their run to this stage, especially in the case of the Mid side.

Drom & Inch were not in many people’s predictions for county success this year, given the amount of turnover they have had from the last few years.

The absence of the likes of Jamie Moloney, Tommy Nolan, Stevie Nolan, and more going into this year would have given allowance for a less-than-stellar year, but the players remaining have made little of those absentees.

The experience and form of Seamus Callanan, David Collins, and Robbie Long have been the foundations for this run, and it was the directness of play into the previously mentioned pair, along with super substitute David Butler, that has reaped benefits for Drom.

They face a Nenagh Éire Óg team that has not hit the heights that they are capable of, but they have done the necessary so far, and with just one game to go before a possible county final, they will be confident.

Mikey Heffernan picked up a nasty head injury in the win over Kilruane MacDonaghs, so there is some concern there, as the experienced shooter will be key to their chances. He has been their go-to forward with Jake Morris not operating at full fitness as he continues to nurse niggles from Tipperary’s win in July.

This represents a huge chance for both clubs to get back into a county final. It will be nervy, edgy, and atmospheric in Thurles on Sunday, but the experience of the Drom & Inch players in Thurles and, indeed, winning back matches at the venue might see them nick it by the bare minimum. This will be a very close game with small margins likely to be the deciding factor come full time.

Verdict: Drom & Inch