Club SHC Previews

Dunloy have a smooth routine for semi-finals at this stage and are the only club with experience of how this works. Managing the break of nearly three months can be difficult for teams that had momentum

SUNDAY

ALL-IRELAND CLUB SENIOR HURLING SEMI-FINALS

Portumna (Galway) v Dunloy (Antrim), Clones (2.0)

The suspicion Dunloy's best results have come when underestimated can cloud their overall fine record in championship semi-finals. In the past nine years the Ulster champions have contested six semi-finals and only Athenry three years ago gave them a bad beating. Birr and Sarsfields were relieved to survive in 2002 and 1998.

Portumna won't lose this for lack of focus. Trainer Joachim Kelly has instilled a hardness to their approach. Little can be said about their form given that they are newcomers to this stage but there were mixed reports from a recent challenge with Offaly. Dunloy, however, have been impressive in their preparations but are unlucky to lose Liam Richmond from the attack. On paper it looks like Dunloy but the instinct here is the Galway champions have momentum and quality to win.

O'Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny) v Newtownshandrum (Cork), Thurles (2.30)

Given the clash of styles here, the venue looks like an early victory for the Cork champions, who gained experience here in the Munster matches and whose quick movement better suits the wide expanses of Semple Stadium. O'Loughlin Gaels would probably have preferred the tighter confines of Portlaoise, where they demolished Birr in the second half of the Leinster final by effortlessly picking off scores and dominated the middle through centre back Andy Comerford. Both teams are better at taking points than goals and are helped by quality free-taking from Ben O'Connor and Nigel Skehan respectively. Good as this marksmanship is, it also leaves a suspicion that each may struggle to find a goal. Reports about O'Connor's injury aren't great. Although he'll almost certainly start there appears little chance he'll be fully fit. O'Loughlin Gaels have impressed as a side gaining confidence in their second championship and they have experience of close finishes. However, the Kilkenny champions get the vote.