The stranglehold of the big three shows no signs of loosening in the Waterford SFC. This weekend, Kilrossanty join the established trio in the semi finals. Since Ardmore's county final appearance in 2007, Gaultier, Ballinameela, An Rinn, Clashmore and Kilrossanty have all come up short at this stage of the championship. The first semi final promises to charge up a forgettable season as The Nire and Stradbally meet again in a remake of last year's county final.
30 October
The Nire v Stradbally (8.00 at Fraher Field)
The first quarter of this latest battle will be savagely contested. Stradbally tend to start quick. They raced 2-3 to 0-1 up after 19 minutes against Kilrossanty and surged 1-5 to 0-0 clear of Ardmore after just 14 minutes. The Reds squeezed up on the Ardmore kickouts which placed huge pressure on goalkeeper Sean Barron and they made hay at midfield through Michael Walsh and John Hearne. That will be a key battleground once again on Friday night. In last year's county final, Michael O'Gorman gave a warrior-like display in that department. Benj Whelan's side kicked five points in a row during the second quarter to spur them on to victory. Keep a close eye on how The Nire cope with Stradbally's pressing game especially from kickouts. Tom Wall likes to take a couple of short ones and these will have to be perfectly executed. The champions are short on match practice given their hurling commitments and were out of football action for two months before last Saturday's quarter final against Brickey Rangers. Nine different names popped up with points as they did the hard work during the first half. Conor Gleeson will be closely watched by Stradbally following last year's five point exhibition but there looks to be plenty of support from elsewhere if he is held. A couple of high balls did cause them difficulty however and one of the Ahearne brothers may be planted on the edge of the square. Stradbally also have issues to iron out after they kicked fourteen wides and struck the woodwork three times against Ardmore. With the margins so fine, discipline will be important for both sides here. Recent encounters between these two suggest that twelve or thirteen points should be sufficient and The Nire seem to have a broader base of scorers to chisel out the scores required.
Odds: The Nire 4/5 Draw 13/2 Stradbally 11/8
Prediction: The Nire
31 October
Ballinacourty v Kilrossanty (7.30 at Fraher Field)
A step up in class for Kilrossanty following last weekend's comprehensive win against Clashmore. Tommy Prendergast, Paul Whyte and David Power all put in a shift around midfield. Whyte also turned up in attack to kick 1-2 from play. They absorbed the Clashmore pressure during the third quarter and struck for a clinching goal on the counter attack through Pa Cunningham. Joey Veale scored two points but created plenty for the other forwards around him. On the same night, Ballinacourty scored 3-16 from play against Gaultier to enhance their title credentials. They have picked up the pieces in recent matches following Gary Hurney's return to the attack. Shane O'Donovan is a big plus for them up front and the corner forward has come up with six goals this season. Ballinacourty boast 15-81 over championship games and that front six will be brimming with confidence following last weekend's blowout.
Odds: Ballinacourty 1/4 Draw 9/1 Kilrossanty 15/4
Prediction: Ballinacourty
