Holding back the years: Paul Flynn is still a vital part of the Ballygunner machine

Leinster club SHC semi-finals

Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) v Ballyboden St Enda's (Dublin)

Nowlan Park

Wexford hurling isn't dead yet, as was demonstrated at Wexford Park a fortnight ago, but what a shame Oulart the Ballagh couldn't win the last puckout after they'd taken the lead in injury time. On the basis that Ballyhale had won their county final only seven days earlier, the Leinster titleholders ought to come on for the run. It'll be a further help if Cha Fitzpatrick maintains his improved form of Wexford Park. Ballyboden required no less than 1-11 from Paul Ryan, 10 points of it from placed balls, in seeing off Craobh Chiarain in a hard fought Dublin county final. They'll need a wider scoring spread today. They're unlikely to manage it.

Verdict: Ballyhale Shamrocks

Clonkill (Westmeath) v Tullamore (Offaly)

Cusack Park

The locals not only defeated the Laois champions Clough Ballacolla by six points in the quarter-final, they thoroughly deserved to do so, thanks in no small part to the accuracy of the admirable Brendan Murtagh, who weighed in with 1-9. Tullamore are no Birr and should they reach the provincial decider will have overachieved. Overachievement ahoy, then.

Verdict Tullamore

Munster club SHC semi-finals

Ballygunner (Waterford) v Cratloe (Clare)

Walsh Park, 2.00

Fergal Hartley a rock in the centre of defence, Andy Moloney hitting five points from the half-forward line and Paul Flynn icing the frees; it could have been the Ballygunner of 10 years ago who saw off Lismore in a high-class replayed county final were it not for the presence and contribution of young Paudie Prendergast and the Mahony brothers. Padraig Chaplin's injury-time goal against Clonlara helped Cratloe to the first Clare title in their history. Even if they haven't spent the past two weeks on the lash, Cratloe aren't a points coring team in the way Ballygunner are. Nor do they have Flynn.

Verdict Ballygunner

Newtownshandrum (Cork) v Adare (Limerick)

Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2.00

If Oulart and Ballyhale provided a fine contest a fortnight ago, Newtown and Thurles Sarsfields provided an absolutely splendid one. While Thurles were unfortunate, one cannot say but that any side that hits 0-19 in November, 0-13 of it from play, deserves to win. On the assumption that Newtown won't revisit such heights so quickly, Adare have to be given a chance. But only one team here is blessed with the combination of pace and the ability to pick off points from all angles.

Verdict: Newtownshandrum

Galway SHC final

Loughrea v Portumna

Pearse Stadium

There isn't a better club team in the country and there hasn't been a more dynamic club team in recent times, Birr and Athenry included. Nonetheless, this is a tricky one for Portumna. A November pitch, a wind from the Atlantic and resilient opponents in Loughrea, who will miss the suspended Nigel Shaughnessy but possess two richly promising minors in Johnny Coen and Niall Keary. One can see numerous reasons why it may take Portumna, for whom the return of oddjob man Eoin Lynch is a boon, all their time to overcome the challenge. But they're long enough on the road to have acquired the experience to rise to whatever a given occasion demands.

Verdict Portumna