Kiladangan hold the aces for semi-final rematch

 
By Shane Brophy
 
KILADANGAN v DROM & INCH
Semple Stadium, Thurles
Sunday, 6th September
Throw-in @ 5.30pm (E.T.)
Referee: Michael Kennedy
 
Kiladangan manager Brian Lawlor couldn’t asked for better from last weekend’s quarter finals.
A comfortable enough victory over Toomevara, accompanied by no injuries or suspensions, and then having almost two days extra rest over their opponents Drom & Inch who required extra time to book their place in this Sunday semi-final.

However, if there is a down side, it is how do they go about beating a team again they just defeated three weeks previously in the group stage in a game that matters more.

That’s the psychological issue in this game as Kiladangan won’t have any issues about playing Drom again and indeed their recent record over the Mid Tipp side is very good, but James Woodlock’s men will be fired up to make sure it won’t happen again.

However, the bigger issue for Drom & Inch will be what is left in the tank after last Sunday’s physically and emotionally draining win over Borris-Ileigh. The sight of Seamus Callanan struggling with either cramp or a calf injury will be a concern as to whether the Tipperary captain can go at full steam.

Off-setting the draining aspect for Drom will be the massive boost in confidence that game will have provided, particularly for their squad and the impact of David Butler, John Campion, Liam Ryan and Shane Hassett off the bench will have given their management food for thought. David Butler has certainly turned into an impact sub off the bench but can Drom afford to keep him there or will they consider going all-in this time round and starting him.

From the group stage meeting last month, Drom’s focus will be on keeping things tight defensively against a Kiladangan side keen for goals and they’ll certainly have a plan to counteract that.

However, it’s hard to do so against a Kiladangan side that have so many attacking weapons, if you focus on one or two, there are two more than will do the damage. Dan O’Meara has been central to Kiladangan’s goal-scoring plays in the last three games and he along with Paul Flynn will pose massive problems to the inside Drom backs.

Based on how last weekend’s quarter finals, all the advantages are with Kiladangan and they should progress to the final for the second year in a row. Verdict: Kiladangan