CORK
Their recent semi-final history involves… three outings in the last four years. Back in 2010 they were convincingly beaten by Kilkenny but it is the last two seasons under the guidance of Jimmy Barry-Murphy that have the most relevance. In 2012 they fell short against Galway but twelve months ago they won out a thrilling encounter against Dublin.
The player they cannot do without is… Patrick Horgan. He didn’t have to be chief conductor in the Munster final as other Cork forwards stepped up to the plate but Horgan still racked up 0-8. In his three previous provincial ties this season, the Glen Rovers man shot 2-33.
Those are staggering scoring feats. He showed his worth in Croke Park last year – the critical goal against Dublin, the glorious point that was nearly the winner against Clare – and is crucial to Cork’s cause.
They will be happy because… they have returned to Croke Park after the shattering disappointment last September. They have also added depth and strength to their panel in the shape of recruits from the footballers along with the additions of Mark Ellis, Bill Cooper and Alan Cadogan.
The Munster title triumph also marked the reaching of a major milestone for this Cork squad as they finally put some silverware on the board.
They will be worried because… they will have had a five-week bout of inactivity between the Munster final and All-Ireland semi-final. The fears of being undercooked were realised by Limerick last year in a similar situation. They also meet a Tipperary team with the momentum of three successive July qualifier wins behind.
KILKENNY
Their recent semi-final history involves… a period of consistent last four appearances between 2006 and 2012. Contesting those games was admirable but what was even more impressive was Kilkenny’s achievement in winning those seven semi-final showings.
You have to go back to 2005 and Galway’s rush of goals for Kilkenny’s last semi-final defeat. Of course they had exited before the semi-final juncture in 2013 which should fuel their motivation ahead of their 2014 showdown next Sunday.
The player they cannot do without is… TJ Reid. The skills and capabilities of the Ballyhale man were always undoubted but pinning down a regular berth in the Kilkenny attack was tricky for him in recent years.
This season he’s been exceptional. The 2-11 haul against Tipperary in the league final set the tone. There was no let-up in the Leinster championship as he chalked up 3-35 in four games and he has relished taking on the role of chief freetaker. In a great position to land the ‘Hurler of the Year’ award at present.
They will be happy because… they are back in the familiar territory of hurling in August, hurling in Croke Park and hurling in an All-Ireland semi-final. All of those aspects were missing from Kilkenny’s 2013 season.
They have looked a resurgent force in 2014. New players like Joey Holden, Padraig Walsh and John Power have joined the fray. Henry is back fit and Richie Hogan is flying at midfield. Their season is falling in to shape nicely.
They will be worried because… there’s going to be a step up in opposition now from what they faced in Leinster. Leave aside the madcap late spell by Galway in the drawn semi-final and the Tribesmen didn’t scale the heights in that two-game saga.
Dublin had slipped down a few rungs on the hurling ladder in 2013 and Offaly were abysmal. The Munster counties will give Kilkenny a more vigorous test. How will they respond?
LIMERICK
Their recent semi-final history involves… the contrasting experiences of 2007 and 2013. Donal O’Grady, Seamus Hickey and Niall Moran are the only current players who were involved for that glorious win over Waterford seven years ago.
The entire panel can recall last August when the giddy joy they felt at participating at such a stage was quickly soured as they crumbled against Clare. Atoning for that defeat and improving their performance are key goals now.
The player they cannot do without is… Richie McCarthy. The defensive anchor of the Limerick team, the Blackrock club man claimed an Allstar for his showings in 2013.
If Limerick are to reign supreme for the rest of the summer, they’ll need McCarthy to quell the potent attacking threats that they will face. A strong and abrasive full-back, he’s also becoming a hurler that stirs the terraces during the game as the Limerick fans bellow out his name.
They will be happy because… they have the chance to exorcise the demons of last August against Clare and the hope with be that the ‘year older, year wiser’ philosophy will apply. Shane Dowling is in terrific form, David Breen has become a vital cog in their machine while the team collectively bounced back in style from the Munster final.
They will be worried because… they have yet to claim a big championship victory in Croke Park, there is a question over who will score if Dowling is shut down and the might of Kilkenny in opposition on Sunday poses a considerable challenge.
TIPPERARY
Their recent semi-final history involves… five consecutive semi-final showings between 2008 and 2012 before they bowed out in the qualifiers last July. That semi-final streak saw them fashion victories over Limerick (2009), Waterford (2010) and Dublin (2011).
There had been prior disappointment at the hands of Waterford in 2008 and the fallout from the shellacking against Kilkenny in 2012 was bitter and vitriolic.
The player they cannot do without is… Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher. It is no coincidence that Tipperary’s 2014 revival has gone hand in hand with a personal revival for the Lorrha man. He’s back proving his brilliance as a ball winner, a direct runner and a lynchpin in the Tipperary attack.
A selfless player, it is his graft that has helped allow the likes of Seamus Callanan and John O’Dwyer dazzle this summer. Without him Tipperary struggle, with him they have a fighting chance.
They will be happy because… those bad vibes from early June have dissipated. There was stark pressure on Tipperary with 20 minutes to go against Galway but they roared back to end their losing run and did it in a fashion that showed they have the stomach for a battle.
They have optimism and momentum now since the qualifiers with supporters starting to dream that this could be a replica of their 2010 campaign. Lar Corbett’s back fit, Shane McGrath’s back in form and Seamus Callanan is in a magnificent scoring mood.
They will be worried because… their defence, particularly the inside line, is set for a far sterner examination by Cork than that which they faced in their qualifier ties.
Horgan and Cadogan are both lethal operators and Tipperary still look unsure of their best options in different slots. Limerick troubled them in that area, Cork will hope to reap a similar reward.
