A SPECTACULAR hurling season moves a step nearer conclusion tomorrow at Croke Park with the Guinness All-Ireland hurling semi-finals. A huge crowd is expected for the meetings of Antrim and Limerick, and Galway and Wexford.

Wexford's Tom Dempsey is probably right when he points out that they will have as few backers for tomorrow as they had against Offaly in the Leinster final. The main problem facing Galway is that which faced them last year having to play a team (12 months ago, Clare) that has strong momentum after winning a first provincial title in a long time, when they themselves haven't played a big match for nearly three months.

Galway manager Matt Murphy is dismissive of this supposed disadvantage and has the ideal opportunity to disprove it.

A good run in the National League they won it this year is to their benefit as it ends the campaign on a positive note and helps establish a settled team. If the side come apart at the seams in a League final, there's not much Galway can do between then and the beginning of August. The easy access to semifinals suits a settled side.

Assessing how they will fare against Wexford is difficult, given Liam Griffin's propensity for tactical switches and sleights of hand. The Wexford manager will have learned a thing or two from the League semi final defeat against Galway in April and will have turned it to his team's advantage.

The cockpit of what might well be a very good match will be the clash between Galway's forwards and Wexford's backs. The sheer size of Joe Rabbitte, Cathal Moore and Liam Burke is a problem, but primary amongst Wexford's improvements is the facility with which they move the ball and their aggression attacking it.

Offaly's forwards got little enough time to weave their magic in the Leinster final as things got hectic in that area of the pitch. At full back, Ger Cush was occasionally exposed by Joe Errity and only a fine save by Damien Fitzhenry saved the goal. Joe Cooney will have somewhat more craft than Frrity, so tighter marking will be necessary.

Further up the field, one of the most noticeable elements of Wexford's play in the Leinster final and previous matches has been the striking of Adrian Fenlon. He moves the ball quickly and accurately. His sideline cut set up Wexford's second goal against Offaly and, earlier, a chance for Gary Laffan.

The main prongs of Wexford's attack in the memorable Leinster final victory were Larry Murphy, Martin Storey and Tom Dempsey. Given that Brian Whelehan couldn't hold Murphy on his day, Galway will be apprehensive, but if Conor O'Donovan can mark more tightly than is the wing back norm, the damage can be limited.

Storey and Dempsey polished off Offaly between them. With only three points in it and less than seven minutes to go, the pair of them shared six points in a blistering conclusion.

The belief here is that Galway can offer a more substantial barrier in midfield and prevent untrammelled supply moving from Wexford's half back line to their half forwards. Furthermore, the Wexford half backs are likely to be under more pressure.

In the inside line, Galway, with Francis Forde in much improved form, Cooney the dozen of inter county forwards and boy wonder Kevin Broderick, look to have more punch. Given Wexford's rate of improvement, nothing is ruled out but Galway are ruled in with slightly more conviction.

In the other semi final, Limerick should have a smooth enough passage against Antrim, the county they beat by 18 points at the same stage two years ago. Not terribly impressive in the Ulster final against Down, the Ulster champions look to suffer from an unbearable lightness up front, given the power hurling Limerick have got used to.

Jim Connolly and Paul McKillen played well at midfield against Down and could make an impression against Sean O'Neill and Mike. Houlihan, but only should the juggernaut opposition have one of their quieter days.

The Antrim defence will struggle, but maybe to better effect than elsewhere. `Sambo' McNaughton will be a solid pivot for the defence and may even get to raise spirits with the odd surge through the middle. All told, though, Limerick have done too much and have too many options to be caught on the hop.