Birr (Offaly) v Clarecastle (Clare), Thurles, 3.15

The two highest-profile clubs meet in this semi-final of the AIB club hurling championship. Given the limited turnover of club teams, the safe assumption that Birr closely reflect the make-up of their title-winning side of three years ago is actually misplaced. Only seven of the successful crew in 1995 line out tomorrow and the team is in general faster and nippier.

With weather conditions as they are, Birr will be suited by the open spaces of Thurles. In addition to the younger players, Birr benefit from a re-arrangement of resources with Pad Joe Whelehan moving his son Simon from corner forward to corner back and Gary Cahill in the other direction from centre back to the half forwards.

Clarceastle have been formidable as they progressed through Clare and Munster. Fired by a desire to emulate Sixmilebridge who cruised to the All-Ireland two years ago, they have impressed as well-organised and highly motivated.

All the ingredients associated with club success are present: a smattering of current county players, a further selection of experienced former county players, an excellent free-taker in Ken Ralph and a consistency of performance across the field.

There are also a couple of negative considerations which tell against them. One, they have strained to win matches although well in command - whether through flaws in the team or lapses in concentration. Two, they have had a more exhausting pre-Christmas programme than Birr and were involved up until mid-December in championship matches and according to reports looked a bit flat in the recent challenge with Wexford. Three, their game has a solidly based emphasis on competing physically in the middle before loosing forwards like Sparrow O'Loughlin and Fergie Tuohy.

Birr have an excellent defence from where Brian Whelehan has been running the show at centre back. Their preference is for a fastmoving game and their attack, having struggled for scores in Offaly, has been more prolific in Leinster. They are capable of springing what would rate as a bit of a surprise.

Sarsfields (Galway) v Dunloy Cuchullains (Antrim), Mullingar, 2.30

Apparently Dunloy are available at 2 to 1, bizarre odds for a side that has reached two of the last three All-Ireland finals. There are 13 survivors from the team beaten by Sixmilebridge in the '96 final and the team's drive and high levels of motivation have been impressive for a team out of competitive action since October when they won the notorious Ulster final against Lavey. A failure to take chances cost them the All-Ireland title in 1995 and the ability to overcome this difficulty is still unproven.

Sarsfields were commonly presumed to be on their last legs when taking a heavy beating from Sixmilebridge two years ago. Their emergence this year has more to do with the traditional qualities of resilience and determination than the discovery of a rich source of young talent - with the exception of the indestructible Michael Ward, their 20-year old centre back.

For a club with a small cachment area and minimal resources, the current injury problems are very hard to bear. Joe Cooney has been such an influential figure in all their successes in the past 15 years that the sight of him injured on the sideline must be devastating to team morale. Joe McGrath also misses out and brother Michael `Hopper' is expected to play against medical advice.

It's unlikely that Sarsfields will lose without Cooney having a go but the odds look stacked against the Galway outfit adding to the remarkable two-in-a-row All-Irelands of a couple of years ago.