It hasn't been a particularly vintage season for the All-Ireland League, but this semi-final tie at Dooradoyle this afternoon ought to be a cut above the norm. The cameras will be there, the weather is set fare, the referee is the best around and these are two skilful sides well capable of providing some bright rugby. Indeed, if this doesn't deliver you'd almost begin to despair.

Tradition and form decrees that Garryowen start favourites. Conceivably, as few of five of last year's beaten finalists will be starting this afternoon and under a new coach at that. But while players and coaches come and go, Garryowen retain their standards and for the third time in four years, the 1992 and '94 winners have finished in the top two.

What's more, John Hall has ensured they've done it in a bit of style as well, giving a fair bit of slack to the latest crop of young bucks such as Tom Tierney, the enormously gifted Jeremy Staunton and the in-form flyer Kevin O'Riordan (four tries in three games).

It's decidedly bad luck, therefore, that their captain, leading points scorer and general rock of sense Killian Keane, could be missing to help guide the tyros.

In a bid to give Keane every chance, Hall will delay naming his side until today, but given it's a knee injury which requires an operation, the prognosis doesn't look good.

Place-kicking winger Conor Kilroy, veteran winger Jack Clarke, or, like last week, Kiwi centre Rob Durno are all options. Up front, Hall will choose from Paul Cunningham and Pat Humphreys at hooker.

Shane Leahy's expected return from injury gives him second-row options, while David Wallace is expected to recover from flu.

By contrast, St Mary's enjoy the comfort of an unchanged side for the third game running. Easily Leinster's most persistent threat to the Munster monopoly (top four for three years running), St Mary's ought to benefit from the experience of last year's semi-final exit at Shannon.

A year on, their set-pieces are stronger and their scrum could well have a big edge. True, their backs aren't flowing as freely - Conor McGuinness looks to be playing with an injury - but you'd expect half a dozen internationals to rise to the occasion.

Whether by front door or tradesman's entrance, St Mary's now find themselves viable contenders and that should inspire them. They need to improve and they've never won an AIL game at Dooradoyle, but they're well capable of the former and records are made to be broken.

Garryowen v St Mary's College

Venue: Dooradoyle. Kick-off: 2.30. On TV: Network 2.

Last two seasons: Garryowen 13 St Mary's 12; St Mary's 18 Garryowen 7.

Last five matches: Garryowen - W L W W W. St Mary's - W W L W W.

Garryowen (probable): D Crotty; C Kilroy, R Durno, K Hartigan, K O'Riordan; J Staunton, T Tierney; N Hartigan, P Cunningham, R Laffan, S Leahy, D Peters, P Hogan (capt), B Cronin, D Wallace.

St Mary's: K Nowlan; J McWeeney, P McKenna, R McIlreavy, D Hickie; F Campion, C McGuinness (capt); J Maher, P Smyth, P Coyle, S Jameson, D Bourke, T Brennan, V Costello, M Cuddihy.

Leading try scorers: Garryowen - O'Riordan 5, McNamara 3. St Mary's - Costello 5, McKenna, McWeeney 3.

Leading points scorers: Garryowen - Keane 103. St Mary's - Campion 70.

Odds: 4/7 Garryowen, 16/1 Draw, 11/8 St Mary's.

Referee: Dave McHugh (Munster).

Forecast: St Mary's to win.