17 September
De La Salle v Passage (3.30 at Walsh Park)
A repeat of last year’s semi final clash that resulted in a 2-21 to 2-5 rout in favour of De La Salle. While the margin will be tighter this time around there is little in the meantime to suggest that the eventual winner will be any different. De La Salle comfortably qualified for the quarters but never reached the levels that brought them to an All Ireland semi final earlier in the year. Meanwhile, Passage needed a final round victory against Dungarvan to pull them through to the last eight. As always Eoin Kelly needs to chip in with a significant scoring spree to put it up to the favourites for this year’s title. De La Salle with Ian Flynn and Kevin Moran dominant down the centre have enough defensive muscle to cope with his threat and the firepower at the other end to secure a semi final place by a comfortable margin.
Odds: De La Salle 2/9 Draw 11/1 Passage 10/3
Prediction: De La Salle
Lismore v Tallow (4.00 at Fraher Field)
This derby clash pits two teams with an ability to both sparkle and fall flat from game to game and often within the same game. At this stage last year Tallow collapsed to De La Salle and only registered four points. They rolled over against Ballygunner in similar fashion this year but they recovered the following week to eliminate Roanmore. Lismore have become regular semi final and final visitors but fail to deliver when the chance of ultimate glory presents itself. In their games against Fourmilewater, Abbeyside and Stradbally they needed a scare before awaking from their slumber and displaying their true colours. For the third year running Maurice Shanahan is scoring at will and he remains the major reason why Lismore will challenge strongly for honours again in 2011.
Odds: Lismore 1/3 Draw 11/1 Tallow 5/2
Prediction: Lismore
Mount Sion v Ballyduff Upper (5.30 at Fraher Field)
Sion remain one of two teams left in the championship with an unbeaten record and they will be favoured to maintain that on Saturday evening. They produced their best display of the year by accounting for Ballygunner in the final round and that injection of confidence makes them hard to back against in this game. Ballyduff with two wins in five group games look to be on the slide and injuries have also affected their thin squad. After a convincing opening day win over Abbeyside they stuttered through to the quarter finals with Fourmilewater doing them a favour in the final round. There may be one kick left in them however and if the city side are in any way complacent after toppling Ballygunner one team capable of pouncing on that weakness are Ballyduff Upper. Throughout the field though Mount Sion hold the aces in terms of experience at this stage of the championship and the emergence of new faces will also help them see off a stubborn Ballyduff effort.
Odds: Mount Sion 5/6 Draw 9/1 Ballyduff Upper 11/10
Prediction: Mount Sion
18 September
Ballygunner v Fourmilewater (6.00 at Fraher Field)
Fourmilewater stand the best chance of causing an upset in this weekend’s fixtures. Three wins and a draw in the group stages generated confidence and a consistency of performance that offers encouraging signs for this game. With Jamie Barron and Shane Walsh in awesome attacking form and Liam Lawlor commanding the centre back slot they will put up stern resistance. Ballygunner however appear determined to make amends for last year and their final round defeat to Mount Sion only offered a minor blip in a formidable campaign to date. Despite the absence of Shane O’Sullivan, Ballygunner can call upon an impressive array of attacking options including Pauric Mahony, Brian O’Sullivan, JJ Hutchinson, Stephen Power and the experienced Andy Maloney that should stand to them here.
Odds: Ballygunner 2/7 Draw 11/1 Fourmile 11/4
Prediction: Ballygunner
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