PREVIEWS: So much intrigue ahead of hurling quarter-final weekend in Tipperary

Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter-Finals

Lorrha vs Clonakenny

Lorrha are coming into this game in fine form and have really brought their promotion form from last year into the Premier Intermediate fare.

They have been scoring very heavily in this championship to date, averaging 26 points per game with Colm Fogarty, Patrick Maher and company on fire.

Clonakenny on the flipside have been very dis-jointed and haven’t been helped with Cian O’Dwyer being sidetracked with small injuries, but he is expected to be in full flight this weekend and they will need him in top form.

It is hard to look past Lorrha, but Clonakenny have the capabilities of causing problems if they get to the pitch of the game early.

Verdict: Lorrha

Burgess vs Thurles Sarsfields

A fascinating contest awaits spectators in this one, as two teams in good form battle for a semi-final spot.
Burgess have really impressed since their North Final loss to Lorrha during the summer, with the two Stephens (Kirwan and Murray) leading the line very well for them.

Thurles have a settled team now with the senior team looking set on some 20 players, and this continuity in recent games has been a big help.

Michael Cahill is the leader in the team but it is the young brigade pushing them on in the form of Tommy Maher and Jack Lanigan, who have both impressed.

Burgess though, are a team who look on a mission and with a near full deck to choose from, they should just edge over the line here.

Verdict: Burgess

Cashel King Cormacs vs Gortnahoe Glengoole

Since the carnage of the opening round against Moyne Templetuohy, Cashel have settled down impressively and Ollie Moran’s men go into this game as slight favourites.

Devon and Nathan Ryan will be available after serving their suspensions and will be a massive boost to the town team, who seem to be peaking nicely.

Gortnahoe have bounced back well after their loss to Killenaule which seen them need a preliminary quarter-final to get to this point, but the late surge and defeat of a strong St Marys team will be a big fillip for them, as the form of Keane Hayes continues to prove pivotal to their efforts.

Cashel are slight favourites here, but they have shown that there has been flakiness in knockout games and it might be a chink in the armour for a robust and fit Gortnahoe team to exploit come this weekend.

Verdict: Gortnahoe Glengoole

Carrick Swans vs Killenaule

The final two south teams in the competition have been drawn together, and that means that making predictions here is a near pointless exercise!

The south championship is notorious for throwing up unexpected results, and this one will be no different as they will both fancy their chances.

The loss of Dean Waters to a recent cruciate knee injury is a big blow for the Swan, and they will be hoping that Aaron O’Halloran can feature in their U19 South Final on Wednesday night coming, as it will mean he is good to go in this one.
Killenaule have been purring very nicely indeed this year, and with the expected return to fitness of John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer, they will be confident of putting their best foot forward in this game.

The Swan tend to raise their game against divisional opponents more so than any other club down south, but the return of Bubbles - either from the start or off the bench - could be fatal to their effort.

Verdict: Killenaule