HURLING PREVIEW/Clarinbridge v Birr, Semple Stadium, 2.0 Live on TG4: At their peak Birr brought a sense of inevitability to their All-Ireland exploits. The precise route may never have been predictable but you always felt that once they hit a rhythm, the Offaly stylists would win. Not surprisingly for a team in transition, this look less definite nowadays, writes Seán Moran
There's still enough class throughout the team and Semple Stadium will suit them but the old explosiveness that could inflict sudden and irreparable damage is no longer as much in evidence. In the Leinster final replay there were hints of it but although Castletown's weakness in attack undid them, the match was competitive enough for a long time and Birr's inaccuracies were a contributory factor.
Clarinbridge come to the table still feeling they have something to prove after their surprise defeat of All-Ireland champions Athenry in the Galway final. The lingering indignation of having been taken so lightly was still apparent in the dressing-room after the All-Ireland semi-final.
They, too, are an assured outfit. Despite a deficit of experience in Thurles they outhurled Ballygunner and in the process delivered an impressive checklist of their strengths. Lively and fast, they moved the ball well, defended with a growing conviction, created and took chances, made the right switches and responded calmly to adversity.
Coach John McIntyre shrewdly withdrew Alan Kerins to defence despite a high-scoring first half and the impact was to snuff out any prospect of Ballygunner picking up breaks.
Crucial areas will include: how Clarinbridge's centrefield cope with the more aggressive forward movement of Johnny Pilkington and Rory Hannify or whoever else drops in from time to time; will Brian Whelahan inspire his half backs in the clash with Alan and Mark Kerins and Paul Coen? Simon Whelahan's scoring exploits have been complemented by Stephen Brown's and for all its admirable efficiency, the Galway champions' full-back line conceded 2-3 in the semi-final.
But in general the old ruthlessness hasn't been as noticeable in the Offaly team's play. Two goals from miss-hits and a major rearguard action saved the Dunloy semi-final.
With the match finely balanced, the inkling here is for Clarinbridge. On semi-final form, they were more impressive. They have the technique to slug it out in a fast game and the ability to take scores. In Darragh Coen, they have a meticulous dead-ball striker who will punish any indiscipline.
Birr too can open up but their defence has been more suspect than usual and their attack more erratic. In other words the clock may have run down.
