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

Premier Intermediate Championship semi-finals

Gortnahoe Glengoole vs Upperchurch Drombane

All told, the clashes across the other grades are equally hard to call, with Gortnahoe Glengoole slight favourites to defeat Upperchurch Drombane in a mouthwatering contest. 

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The form of Ronan Teehan is a massive plus for Gortnahoe with the stalwart forward bagging a stunning 2-6 from play in the win over Ballina two weeks ago. Aside from that, they have been perennial challengers in this grade in recent years, regularly reaching semi-finals so they are a team on a mission.

Upperchurch have gradually improved and without doubt produced their best performance of the year in defeating Killenaule in the quarter-final. Paddy Phelan, Pat Ryan, and Dean Carew were the standout players in that win, and it is their defensive solidity that has been impressive with Gavin Ryan the key man at the centre of the defence.

However, they are facing a forward division with the aforementioned Teehan, Adrian and Darragh Maher, Damien Corbett and Keane Hayes and that may be too much for them to handle.

Verdict: Gortnahoe Glengoole

Boherlahan Dualla vs Carrick Swans

Boherlahan Dualla will be a big test of Carrick Swans’ title credentials in the Premier Intermediate semi-finals.

Carrick Swans' experience will be a big plus, having reached the final last year, and that defeat has no doubt been a driving force for them this year so far.

There is doubt over the availability of Eric O'Halloran due to work commitments, but that aside, they have a rude defensive unit and with a freetaker of the quality of Calum Lanigan in situ, Boherlahan will have to be disciplined.

Boherlahan, for their part, are improving every year since they came up from intermediate and reaching this stage is another sign of progress under the tutelage of Conor Gleeson.

Tossy Ryan is their key man in what is a young team overall, but they may just find the physicality and experience of the Swan too hot to handle on this occasion.

Verdict: Carrick Swans