On-field hurling events finally take centre stage with some decent encounters over the next two Sundays that should tell us a lot about how the 2007 championship will pan out, writes Nicky English, Hurling Analyst

(To digress for a moment: regarding the Cork v Clare tunnel debacle I think it could easily have been prevented. Teams always explode out of the dressingroom, it's part of the tradition of big championship days, but what happened when they came out together makes it very difficult for the GAA not to apply suspensions. But whoever is meting out the punishment must also take a look at the schedule breakdown. Whether a mistake was made by the teams or the officials present on the day, someone should be held accountable.)

For the record, I believe the All-Ireland champions will come from Kilkenny, Waterford or Galway. Waterford have the talent to win the All-Ireland, but they must limit their tendency for indiscipline while continuing to develop poise under pressure. They know the time is now. I'd give them a fantastic chance.

Galway's chances were reduced to an outside bet after a shaky league campaign. Cork will be there, or thereabouts, but Tipperary remain a work in progress that continues tomorrow against Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds. It's a huge game for both as victory is rewarded with a Munster final.

Tipp are the bookies' favourites and in most people's eyes it is a formality. I'm not so convinced. My overriding thoughts go back to the corresponding fixture in Thurles last year when Tipp went in as outsiders after Limerick blazed a trail to the league final. In the meantime, Limerick have not got any worse. They field virtually the same team so Richie Bennis has at least developed a consistency of selection. And the game is in Limerick.

Then there is the small matter of Limerick's championship losing streak to Tipperary that stretches back to 2001.

Babs Keating must be commended for introducing so many young players, but it becomes very difficult to generate any momentum when a team is constantly changing during the league.

They needed to get past Waterford in the quarter-finals to ensure a settled side come the championship. Limerick may have been embroiled in relegation play-offs, but they were playing competitive games after Tipp went underground.

I'm serious in my belief that Limerick can beat a Tipperary team with eight or nine changes from the All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Waterford last year.

The team that was competitive against Cork and Waterford in last year's championship bears no relevance to the side that runs out tomorrow.

Limerick have targeted this game since October, whereas Tipp see it it as a stepping stone to the Munster final. Limerick, for all their problems down the years, are full to the brim with experience and quality.

The Tipp defence is very much as predicted. I'm glad to see Benny Dunne go to number six; he is a good reader of the game and after years playing in so many positions it's good that Babs gives him a chance in his preferred role. Now he has to take it. Shane McGrath was the find of the championship in midfield last year and the athletic, powerful James Woodlock can repeat this trick.

It's the half-forward line that has yet to find a potent balance. John Carroll, Darragh Egan and Ryan O'Dwyer fill the positions in this case. That's where the ball must be won, otherwise Eoin Kelly, Larry Corbett, Willie Ryan and possibly Pa Burke later on will be starved of possession.

There is no natural ball winner in the full- forward line. This in turn puts additional pressure on the Tipp half backs to dominate. The option of Danny O'Hanlon or Micheál Webster has not materialised. It looks like Eoin Kelly will end up at full forward and that's not his ideal position.

Ultimately, Limerick need goals to win as they did in the league match in Nenagh. If the Tipp defence can keep the green flag down they have the scoring prowess to escape the Gaelic Grounds in one piece. But I won't be holding my breath.

Leinster also gets going this weekend and Kilkenny remain the benchmark not just for the province but for hurling in general. No surprise there. It's hard to see Offaly making any impact.

A reaction to the league final defeat could result in a heavy scoring differential. It will be interesting to see where the Kilkenny hunger levels are as they seem to be lacking last year's desire thus far.

The other semi-final between Dublin and Wexford promises a far more competitive contest. I was impressed by the quality of Dublin's hurling against Kilkenny and Galway.

They have a very good half-back line; Ronan Fallon in particular is an outstanding centre back but John McCaffrey's absence from midfield could prove crucial as they cannot afford any weaknesses against an in-form Wexford (scratch the mauling they received from Kilkenny, as a massive mental block exists when they come into contact with black and amber jerseys).

It will be interesting to see how Dublin perform in the championship but, unfortunately for them, Wexford have improved under John Meyler. Their defeat of Galway was the most impressive hurling I've seen this year.

Granted, they collapsed a week later, but they should have too much for Dublin tonight.