Waterford SHC Round 4 Previews

22 June

Mount Sion v Tallow (7.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
With championship elimination staring them in the face, Mount Sion need to produce the goods on Friday night. Tallow suffered annihilation at the hands of De La Salle but they can trouble an under strength Sion full back line. Despite missing some key figures in defence, there may be just one kick left in the city side to keep their season alive.
Odds: Mount Sion 8/15 Draw 9/1 Tallow 13/8
Prediction: Mount Sion

Ballygunner v Passage (7.30 at Walsh Park) Group 1
Ballygunner go into this one in desperate need of a win but will have to achieve it without Shane O’Sullivan, Brian O’Sullivan, Pauric Mahony and Harley Barnes. Passage will leave Eoin Kelly at the edge of square from where he fired 2-6 against Lismore and they may also welcome back Noel Connors. The champions will need to keep it tight defensively and hope that Stephen Power and JJ Hutchinson step up to the plate in attack. They may just do enough.                                                                       
Odds: Ballygunner 4/9 Draw 10/1 Passage 15/8
Prediction: Ballygunner

23 June
Fourmilewater v Dunhill (6.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
The first meeting of these sides since the intermediate final of 2001. Already safely qualified, they only thing Fourmile have to worry about is which position they finish up in. Dunhill surprisingly lost out to Roanmore in round three after performing well against both Mount Sion and Tallow. Eamonn Murphy will put up stiff resistance but how can they contain Shane Walsh and Jamie Barron at the other end?
Odds: Fourmilewater 1/14 Draw 16/1 Dunhill 6/1
Prediction: Fourmilewater

Abbeyside v Lismore (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
This fixture served up seven goals and 27 points last year and it could provide the game of the weekend this time around. Abbeyside need the win to advance to the last eight and have improved round by round. Lismore currently occupy top spot and while Maurice Shanahan remains their talisman, Paudie Prendergast and John Prendergast have also played starring roles so far.
Odds: Abbeyside 2/1 Draw 10/1 Lismore 2/5
Prediction: Lismore

24 June
De La Salle v Roanmore (2.00 at Walsh Park) Group 2
If De La Salle turn up in the right frame of mind they should enjoy a comfortable afternoon and confirm their place in the quarters. Shane McNulty pulverised Tallow last time out but he may be rested with the minor semi final in mind on Wednesday evening. Roanmore have recovered admirably from a shaky start to collect three points but they will probably look at the last round against Mount Sion as a more realistic target.
Odds: De La Salle 1/14 Draw 16/1 Roanmore 6/1
Prediction: De La Salle

Ballyduff Upper v Dungarvan (7.00 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Ballyduff came from nowhere to deliver a steely win against Ballygunner to keep them in the championship reckoning. Missed opportunities cost the Blues a chance of claiming the bragging rights in an entertaining local derby after they had bounced back from a sluggish first half showing. A real battle between youth and experience here and the fresher Dungarvan legs may come out on top.
Odds: Ballyduff 2/5 Draw 10/1 Dungarvan 2/1
Prediction: Dungarvan