Friday 25 April
De La Salle v Lismore (Fraher Field at 7.00)
This tie under the Friday night lights has the most potential for fireworks. Injury concerns to deal with on both sides most notably Jake Dillon and Maurice Shanahan. Salle’s strength traditionally lies around the central area but they will be looking for another forward to step up as a regular scoring threat to supplement Dillon and John Mullane. Lismore will be concerned that they were unable to pin down tight games in 2013. They will go close again but the bookies’ favourites can turn to their emerging talent programme from minor and under 21 successes.
Odds: De La Salle 1/4 Draw 11/1 Lismore 3/1
Prediction: De La Salle
Saturday April 26
Mount Sion v Tallow (Fraher Field at 6.30)
Mount Sion won the quarter final meeting by 2-22 to 1-7 in 2013. Tallow relied on their defensive solidity to reach the 2011 decider but they have been opened up with worrying ease in the last couple of campaigns. Austin Gleeson and Stephen Roche plotted their downfall last year. If Thomas Ryan can get himself involved often enough, Tallow should be able to keep up but ultimately fall short of surprising Sion.
Odds: Mount Sion 1/8 Draw 14/1 Tallow 9/2
Prediction: Mount Sion
Ballyduff Upper v Ardmore (Fraher Field at 8.00)
Restored to the top flight, Ardmore face a seasoned Ballyduff Upper outfit. With Ballygunner waiting in the wings the following weekend, this presents a possibility to ease early pressure. If Stephen Molumphy misses out, they will see an opening. Little to choose between them but the proven performers in the Ballyduff ranks and the speed of their inside line containing Michael Kearney and Kevin Casey may prove the difference.
Odds: Ballyduff Upper 3/10 Draw 11/1 Ardmore 5/2
Prediction: Ballyduff Upper
Sunday April 27
Abbeyside v Fourmilewater (2.00 at Fraher Field)
Fourmile have 19 points to make up from last September’s lop-sided quarter final. With Richie Foley a likely non-starter, the gap narrows immediately. Abbeyside arrived with all of the momentum and steam rolled their opponents. It gave a misleading impression. These two teams are among a selected few beneath the title favourites that could put together a string of results and reach the semi finals. Abbeyside will go direct to seek out Patrick and Gary Hurney and expose frailties in the full back line. Fourmile were surprisingly outmuscled by their opponents last time but there is unlikely to be a repeat. If they win the collisions, they may offer more firepower to exact immediate retribution.
Odds: Abbeyside 10/11 Draw 8/1 Fourmilewater Evens
Prediction: Fourmilewater
Ballygunner v Dungarvan (Fraher Field at 3.30)
Ballygunner rediscovered their touch in this fixture last year. Dungarvan only got motoring when the game had entered garbage time but they did manage to get the better of the Gunners in Walsh Park two years ago. Pauric Mahony and Jamie Nagle are likely to engage in combat again. If the Blues raise their game from the start, there could be a treat in store.
Odds: Ballygunner 1/2 Draw 9/1 Dungarvan 7/4
Prediction: Ballygunner
Passage v Roanmore (Walsh Park at 7.00)
Passage knuckle down to this fresh challenge without John Whitty and a doubt hanging over the availability of Eoin Kelly. It will be interesting to observe where Gavin O’Brien operates for Roanmore to inflict maximum pain. A 26 minute Eoin Kelly hat trick still wasn’t enough to shake off the Sky Blues last year as they only emerged four point winners. Even minus Kelly in attack, Owen Connors and company can nail the scores required.
Odds: Passage 1/4 Draw 11/1 Roanmore 3/1
Prediction: Passage
Prediction: Ballyduff Upper
Sunday April 27
Abbeyside v Fourmilewater (2.00 at Fraher Field)
Fourmile have 19 points to make up from last September’s lop-sided quarter final. With Richie Foley a likely non-starter, the gap narrows immediately. Abbeyside arrived with all of the momentum and steam rolled their opponents. It gave a misleading impression. These two teams are among a selected few beneath the title favourites that could put together a string of results and reach the semi finals. Abbeyside will go direct to seek out Patrick and Gary Hurney and expose frailties in the full back line. Fourmile were surprisingly outmuscled by their opponents last time but there is unlikely to be a repeat. If they win the collisions, they may offer more firepower to exact immediate retribution.
Odds: Abbeyside 10/11 Draw 8/1 Fourmilewater Evens
Prediction: Fourmilewater
Ballygunner v Dungarvan (Fraher Field at 3.30)
Ballygunner rediscovered their touch in this fixture last year. Dungarvan only got motoring when the game had entered garbage time but they did manage to get the better of the Gunners in Walsh Park two years ago. Pauric Mahony and Jamie Nagle are likely to engage in combat again. If the Blues raise their game from the start, there could be a treat in store.
Odds: Ballygunner 1/2 Draw 9/1 Dungarvan 7/4
Prediction: Ballygunner
Passage v Roanmore (Walsh Park at 7.00)
Passage knuckle down to this fresh challenge without John Whitty and a doubt hanging over the availability of Eoin Kelly. It will be interesting to observe where Gavin O’Brien operates for Roanmore to inflict maximum pain. A 26 minute Eoin Kelly hat trick still wasn’t enough to shake off the Sky Blues last year as they only emerged four point winners. Even minus Kelly in attack, Owen Connors and company can nail the scores required.
Odds: Passage 1/4 Draw 11/1 Roanmore 3/1
Prediction: Passage
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