PM O'Sullivan/The Ciotóg Side: Right. Introspection, be damned. Let's talk hurling in plain terms. Let's sound the quarter-finals, best as 850 words can.

Most make Limerick's chances brackish, a silvered stagnancy after under-21 titles. Still, after recent travails, there should be a "bounce" factor. Some almighty surprises have been seen in recent years.

The Munster final possibly evinced slippage on Cork's part. Points were not posted with their usual fluency and the Rebels had to thank Brendan Cummins's grip for one of their goals.

Even so, the evidence scarcely indicates an upset. Barring unusual scenes, the Treaty men will struggle to score more than 14 points. They will need at least two goals (and could get them, given recent creaks in the Cork full-back line).

The relocation of TJ Ryan has strengthened the back eight, even in Peter Lawlor's absence. While Brian Geary is more miss than hit (and forever fetches the sliotar in the incorrect hand), Leeside hardly has a form centre forward at the minute.

There is, as with all fine teams mithered with mileage, a bad day in Cork. But the Limerick front eight hardly owns sufficient fire-power when the shelling starts. Any half-forward line that includes Mike O'Brien, honest but lamentably one-sided, is dubious. Donie Ryan, for all that he is a trier, is hardly loved by the code's gods. He hurls, all elbows and frantic stoops, like a man trying to put up an umbrella in a high wind. If Mickey Cahill is gone, lads not up to it remain. Limerick have only nine or 10 adequate hurlers (and two of them are rising 30).

With the bounce, something like 1-19 to 1-15.

The Galway-Kilkenny pairing is a humdinger. Context tightens the dynamic. Attending the seniors' famous victory last season, Corribside have beaten Noreside by a point at minor (2004) and at under-21 (2005). Victory for the Westerners tomorrow might tilt the rivalry's balance for some time.

A whole generation of their players would have no fear of Marble men. No small prize, when you think about it.

The match should be decided in the Kilkenny defence.

If they cannot constrict the channels into which Galway's runners poured last August, they will do well to be beaten by just three points.

Doubts are hardening about John Tennyson as an authoritative centre back (vacates the centre too easily, gambles on the occasional high ball) and the wisdom of playing Donnacha Cody. Within hurling's catechism, pace allows periods of grace.

Word is that James "Cha" Fitzpatrick will line out at midfield alongside Derek Lyng.

If so, the clash of the day could be between Fitzpatrick and Fergal Healy, two wonderful stickmen who produce unfussy and intelligent ball. Midfield dominance for the Noresiders would give them the engagement with something to spare.

Truth told, the Galway defence is still not the sum of its parts. Enough doubts remain to call this contest for the Southeast. Henry Shefflin is quite capable of scoring two goals.

Something like 3-19 to 2-16.

Clare and Wexford resume combat at the same stage as last season. The Slaneysiders went into that tie as favourites, having acquitted themselves well in the Leinster final. The moral victory only presaged a disastrous loss to The Banner.

How last July sits in the Model County's gut will decide this meeting. Most feel the Dalcassians have it all but nailed down. All the same, Neil Ronan's introduction in last year's semi-final showed how to discommode Brian Lohan. Wexford would appear to have a similar candidate in either of the Jacobs. There is also the possibility of Darragh Ryan featuring at full forward.

Some nudge in the head says Purple and Gold are going to do far better than anticipated. Their defence is more than decent, if midfield and half forwards do the requisite work. Maybe a draw lurks. That said, Clare have quite a few potential gamebreakers in their front eight and should ultimately seize the day.

Something like 1-17 to 2-13.

Tipperary-Waterford intrigues. Off and on, the latter showed in the Munster semi-final meeting they had the former's measure. Pressurised, the Premier County's midfield and half-forward line spluttered, as if travelling on dirty diesel.

This writer feels Michael Walsh and Ken McGrath would be a formidable midfield pairing, one Tipperary would find hard to counteract.

Tony Browne is well capable of hurling at centre back, where he would face the workmanlike returnee Francis Devanney. Walsh at full forward misuses his gifts of pace and penetration.

Babs Keating has mislaid another captain. The same man, before his lapse, hailed his manager as "no back of a clock".

For this observer, Tipp's time runs out on Sunday.

If Dan Shanahan goes well, it is not clear Blue and Gold have a man to mark him. John Mullane, too, is due a big performance. Eoin Murphy will presumably mark the man of genius.

Something like 2-19 to 2-16.

Right. A tinkle of the ivories, previews in a minor key. So it goes. The weeks before the semi-finals will crank up the volume, as flaws become straws that humble camels.

And four counties will already have the hump with their manager.

•PM O'Sullivan is an academic and hurling writer, whose column The Stubborn Nore appears on www.kilkennycats.com