It mightn't be entirely to central casting's taste, but Kilkenny's role as this summer's elusive Pimpernels, cheating death in Leinster and near-death in Thurles, has greatly added to the excitement of the Guinness All-Ireland hurling championship.

There is validity to the argument that playing in the harder All-Ireland quarter-final gives a team an advantage in terms of serious match practice, but faced with a choice between direct qualification for a semi-final and a tilt with Galway, how many counties would willingly take Kilkenny's path?

Tomorrow's semi-final at Croke Park brings Kilkenny into conflict with Munster champions Clare and, by extension, with the hurling public at large who seem to be in rapt anticipation of a Wexford-Clare final in a month's time.

Kilkenny represent a serious threat to this idyllic denouement. Their development from a comparatively ramshackle outfit in the Leinster final into an effective blend of physique and craft two weeks ago, against Galway, has been one of the talking points of a fascinating championship. Throw in the concentration necessary to overcome a nine-point half-time deficit and the triumphant return to form of captain DJ Carey and manager Nicky Brennan had good reason to be satisfied.

Throughout this process, Clare have been in cold storage since their emphatic performance - but narrow margin - against Tipperary in the Munster final.

For a couple of reasons, Clare deserve to be favourites for tomorrow's encounter. Firstly, there is every chance that Kilkenny's defeat of Galway has been exaggerated. Secondly, the reasons why the Leinster finalists thrived against Galway are unlikely to be found in such abundance tomorrow.

The effect on morale of coming from so far behind to win a match in the manner of their quarterfinal will have been beneficial, but Clare are a hardier prospect.

Galway, although only two points adrift at the end, suffered the following disabilities: snuffed out in the corner forward positions; unable to do anything with Joe Cooney, who was left to loiter ineffectively at full forward for the whole match; incapable of countering Pat O'Neill's growing dominance at centre back, despite causing Kilkenny's wings plenty of trouble in the early stages; gradually dismantled as a unit at centre-field; defensively porous and finally physically out-gunned.

Few people would expect Clare to prevail if the goals start flying in as they did in Thurles, but a loose, high-scoring match looks long-odds this weekend. A quick scan of Galway's difficulties makes it hard to see where they are likely to apply to Clare.

Two of the county's full-forward line, Fergal Hegarty and Conor Clancy, are physical presences whose agenda isn't informed by scoring considerations. The third, Ger `Sparrow` O'Loughlin, has been in fine form this summer operating either at corner forward and full forward - not just as the solitary score-taker of old, but as a focal point.

On the half-forward line, Clare established an iron grip in the Munster final. The variety of approaches offered by PJ O'Connell, Fergal Tuohy and Jamesie O'Connor makes it unlikely that O'Neill will be allowed settle on an opponent and use him as a platform to build attacks.

Centrefield poses a couple of problems for Kilkenny. Philip Larkin and Andy Comerford complemented each other very well in Thurles. Comerford, in stereotypical terms, is the hod-carrier and Larkin the craftsman, but the former's striking is a fairly sophisticated weapon.

Thurles, however, is different to Croke Park and Clare a lot different to Galway. Croke Park is a tighter pitch. There's less opportunity for two centrefields to do their own thing in splendid isolation from their direct opponents. In these confines, the physical power of Ollie Baker and Colin Lynch will be telling.

The jewels in Clare's crown are deep-set. Their unchanging defence has a comforting sense of permanence and presumably will have until some future day of judgement arrives.

After a rocky spring, Brian Lohan has recovered the imperious form of old this championship and, in front of him, Sean McMahon has completed a formidable central axis. Some concern has been expressed about Clare's corner backs and wing backs.

Anthony Daly's lack of pace isn't a new phenomenon and he had difficult moments with both Seanie McGrath and Kevin Tucker, but John Power's challenge, formidable though it may be, isn't based on pace. Daly will be happy enough to slug it out with Kilkenny's wing forward - or with Canice Brennan if the switch is made.

Charlie Carter has been Kilkenny's most consistent forward in the campaign to date, but Michael O'Halloran has survived all comers, including a lively Joe Deane in the Munster semi-final against Cork.

Carter has to be considered in tandem with his clubmate DJ Carey. In this regard, it's important for Clare to remember that Kilkenny have been beaten in the past even with Carey scoring well.

In recent years, Offaly shut off his ball supply and let tight marking do the rest. Two years ago, despite being starved and outplayed, Carey still managed two goals of Kilkenny's 2-5 total.

Clare's forwards may not be prolific, but they are great defenders and it is likely that the flow of ball into Kilkenny's dangerous left flank will be severely restricted.

Neither will Kilkenny's captain benefit to the same extent from the greater physical presence around him because against Clare it will buy far less time and space than it did against Galway. The same applies - in spades - if he has to move inside onto Brian Lohan.

Unless Clare are psyched out by Kilkenny's pedigree - and signs are that they are more motivated than intimidated by such things - their greater experience at this level should stand to them.