Northern champions supremely confident

RIGHTLY or wrongly, the general perception of next weekend’s All-Ireland semi-finals of the AIB club hurling championship would be that Kilkenny champions James Stephens will advance at the expense of Ulster standard-bearers O’Donovan Rossa, while Athenry may have a slight edge over Toomevara.

But, it's not a view that finds favour with Rossa captain Jim Connolly.

When the four captains met the media in Dublin yesterday, Connolly caused some surprise talking up his team's chances. Nobody thought of reminding him what happened after the Antrim manager Dinny Cahill did likewise last year in advance of their (ill-fated) All-Ireland semi-final with Cork.