Clare

Strengths: Well-organised side with Martin Daly's touch of menace up front. Draw is in their favour. Munster final appearance on the cards.

Weaknesses: A bit leaden against Waterford in last week's opening match. Accuracy up front poor and defence alarmingly pressurised on occasion.

Prediction: Whatever about Tipp, Kerry and Cork look to pack too much for them in any potential final. Likely to be spared horrors of Clare Shout.

Cork

Strengths: Last year it was the defence which carried show. al O'Donovan, back again to full fitness. Centrefield did its bit and some heavyweights have returned to the attacking fold with Steven O'Brien and Colin Corkery back in action. Quality of Philip Clifford.

Weaknesses: Still uncertain as to whether Nemo prodigals are fit enough for championship action. Corkery has a tendency to take the field looking more like the fatted calf. Lack of plan B if forwards don't show improvement.

Prediction: Should be comfortable today. Crunch comes in Killarney.

Kerry

Strengths: Rediscovered appetite evident in league. Forwards moving very well, even before Maurice Fitzgerald's return to full fitness. Liam Hassett in particularly good form.

Weaknesses: Centrefield is sluggish and defence scarily open - as Meath demonstrated in Thurles. Perennial full-back dilemma is wreaking havoc, with Seamus Moynihan now being spoken of as a potential solution - without any thought to the consequences further out the field.

Prediction: Should win Munster even with patched-up defence but Derry would be a major obstacle at All-Ireland level.

Limerick

Strengths: Riding high at the moment after immense achievement of under-21s. Some good young players in consequence. Although last year was a bit of a mill, have reasonable record of standing up to Cork.

Weaknesses: Players being hurried through more quickly than would be case in other counties. Half a team of under-21s looks a bit callow.

Prediction: A good result will be a competitive display.

Tipperary

Strengths: Some fine players have helped give admirable displays in last two championship meetings with Kerry. Tend to be better footballers in the summer than during the league.

Weaknesses: Lack of confidence in big matches. Lonely. Hurling fans wouldn't throw water on them if they caught fire. If Declan Browne is shackled, they find scores hard to come by. Opponents Clare have advantage of an outing behind them. They surprised Clare two years ago with a great attacking display.

Prediction: Continuing gap between status of counties suggests that Clare should avenge that defeat.

Waterford

A predictable end to poor old Waterford's brief season. Much improved on last year. Competitive in Division Two, although not many results went their way. Again last week they gave a good account of themselves. Could really have done with FDC scheme or at least a round-robin in Munster.