Gunners and Sion may have the final say
Lismore and Ballyduff Lower fancy their chances of upsetting the form book however, in the weekend's Waterford county senior semi-finals at Fraher Field, Dungarvan, and Walsh Park.
The Dungarvan venue houses the first semi-final today (5.30), with Lismore throwing down the gauntlet to Ballygunner, while Ballyduff square up to hat-trick chasing Mount Sion at Walsh Park tomorrow (1.30).
Ballygunner have made it through via the conventional route, with Lismore relying on the losers' group following their shock first round defeat by Ardmore.
To their credit, Lismore have done that with some conviction and their comprehensive quarter-final local derby victory over Tallow was probably their best display of the campaign.
Their big guns, Dave Bennett and Dan Shanahan, have been hugely influential in their recovery from that Ardmore defeat, but the county duo are going to have to pull out all the stops to halt the Gunners
There's still some concern about Shanahan, who picked up a nasty ankle injury in the defeat of Ballyduff Upper. He only saw 20 minutes of action against De La Salle, and though he played the full hour against Tallow (scoring 2-2) he was still clearly hampered.
The Gunners themselves are in transition following the memorable years that brought them Munster club championship glory. They haven't exactly set the scene alight so far, but any side that can call on the services of Paul Flynn, Shane, Rory, and Billy O'Sullivan, Andy Moloney, Tom Fives, Paul Foley, Stephen Frampton and Fergal Hartley must command maximum respect.
The Gunners are the deserving favourites, but Lismore will be all fired up for this one, and a surprise cannot be ruled out.
The second semi-final between Mount Sion and Ballyduff Lower will attract a huge attendance despite that earlier than usual starting time.
Sion, champions in 2002 and again last year, will be the raging favourites, and any side that has a backbone of Ken, Eoin, and Roy McGrath, Tony Browne, Eoin Kelly, Brian Flannery, Sean Ryan, Anthony Kirwan and goalkeeper Ian O'Regan has to be rated formidable.
Against that, however, Ballyduff have a combination of youth and experience which has stood them well. They were particularly impressive in seeing off the John Mullane led De La Salle in the quarter-final, and if Jack Kennedy, Conor Kenny, Pat Matthews, Pat Fitzgerald, Derek Van Veen, and the O'Learys are on top of their game then it could be a very interesting game indeed.
Form and championship pedigree suggest Mount Sion will win, but Ballyduff are sure to make this game a cracker.
Early arrivals at Fraher Field tomorrow should be well rewarded when neighbours Ardmore and Clashmore meet in the losers' group final of the senior football championship (4pm), with title holders Stradbally awaiting the winners in the semi-final.
Ardmore, after recent impressive victories over Rathgormack and Tramore, will be marginal favourites despite the continuing absence of the suspended Johnny Hennessy. However, in Karl O'Keeffe and Stephen Barron, Clashmore have two of the best footballers in the county. Don't write them off.
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