Super Semi-Finals Weekend
By Shane Brophy
It is Super Semi-Finals weekend as dreams of county glory remain or are dashed in clubs and communities across the county.
In hurling, we should know the final pairings in the senior, premier intermediate, intermediate and junior ‘A’ championships come Sunday evening, as well as in senior camogie.
Much of the focus will be on the senior hurling semi-finals in FBD Semple Stadium which will be played on separate days with first semi-final on Saturday evening having national television coverage on RTE as Loughmore/Castleiney square off against Thurles Sarsfields in a repeat of the 2021 final which went to a replay.
Sunday’s semi-final also has a rivalry element between 2020 champions Kiladangan and Toomevara with the latter chasing their first county senior final appearance since 2008.
Weather concerns this week likely led to the premier intermediate semi-finals not acting as curtain-raisers for the senior semi-finals with Toomevara hosting the first semi-final between Lorrha and Cashel King Cormacs on Saturday afternoon while the second semi-final between Killenaule and Thurles Sarsfields is in Boherlahan on Sunday afternoon.
Moneygall are aiming to get back to the intermediate final for the second year in a row when they take on Boherlahan-Dualla in Templetuohy on Saturday lunchtime while Golden Kilfeacle take on Kilsheelan/Kilcash in the second semi-final in Littleton later in the afternoon.
Saturday also sees Ballinahinch continue their quest for county glory when they take on Holycross/Ballycahill in the junior ‘A’ semi-final in Annacarty while Clonoulty/Rossmore and JK Brackens meet in the second semi-final on Sunday.
It is the second of two clashes between the clubs as they meet in the senior hurling relegation semi-final on Saturday with Kilruane MacDonaghs and Upperchurch/Drombane squaring off on Sunday.
In senior camogie, both semi-finals take place across the weekend at the County Camogie Grounds with holders Drom & Inch facing Thurles Sarsfields on Saturday while Clonoulty/Rossmore come up against Borris-Ileigh on Sunday.
With premier intermediate and intermediate hurling relegation finals also down for decision, it promises to be a dramatic weekend of hurling action.