Here are our previews for this weekend's All-Ireland senior hurling championship semi-finals.

Saturday, August 13th

All-Ireland SHC semi-final replay

Kilkenny v Waterford, Semple Stadium, 6.45pm

It'll be difficult for these two to repeat the level of thrills they had on show last weekend when they meet tomorrow evening in Thurles, but we can always live in hope.

Conor Fogarty's 74th minute point saved a second chance for Kilkenny in a fascinating semi-final last Sunday and they're fully expected to take it when they encounter Derek McGrath's Waterford side for the second time in six days - this time at Semple Stadium. The Cats are priced as 2/7 favourites to get the job done this time and while Deise supporters will feel that the odds are harsh (Waterford are 7/2) after the effort last time out, Brian Cody's team's record in replays speaks for itself though.

This is set to be the first championship replay between the two counties since 1959 - when Waterford triumphed to a 3-12 to 1-10 victory in the All-Ireland final - and the Munster outfit will want to rectify a few things after letting a big chance slip at Croke Park last Sunday.

Expect Austin Gleeson and Pauric Mahony to be the main damage inflictors again for the underdogs, with plenty more having to offer supporting roles if the upset is to be achieved this time round. They'll have plenty to contend with down the far end as well, with the likes of TJ Reid and Richie Hogan so deadly in front of the posts, while keeping goals out will once again be paramount to their chances.

Verdict: Kilkenny

 

Sunday, August 14th

All-Ireland SHC semi-final

Tipperary v Galway, Croke Park, 3.30pm

Sunday's showdown at Croke Park looks set to be one of the most intriguing of the summer as Munster champions Tipperary battle it out with Galway for a place in next month's All-Ireland final.

A repeat of last year's semi-final (which Galway won 0-26 to 3-16), memories of 12 months ago will no doubt be fresh in the minds of the Tipp players once they take to the field at Croker this weekend after having strolled to a 42nd Munster title last month. The Premier men hit Waterford for five goals in their last outing, with John McGrath (3-2) and Seamus Callanan (1-11) particularly prominent and, needless to say, their opponents will be well aware of the deadly scoring threat they face on Sunday.

Micheall Donoghue's men bounced back from their Leinster final defeat to Kilkenny at the start of last month with a brilliant performance against Clare four weeks back, defending like demons and striking all-important goals from Conor Cooney and Joe Canning past the Banner defence which ultimately made the difference.

Canning will again need to step up to the plate big time if the Tribesmen are to upset 2/1 odds here, along with Cooney and his namesake Joe , while staying granite like at the back to make sure Callanan and co don't do them irreversible damage.

Verdict: Tipperary

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