February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Barnabas have lost a couple of key players this year but still have plenty of talent to call on. Ronan Garvey and Sean Carbin are a dynamic duo up front and Eddie Greenan leads a tough, mobile defense. They’ll need that mobility to slow down Meath forwards like Brian Newman and Shane McAnerney. Jamie Shaw can dominate his midfield spot and Dave Callaghan leads a good back six.
This is a tough match to call, but I think Meath can just about shade it.
3 p.m., SH semi
Limerick vs. Tipp
Because of the new A and B divisions in hurling, these two sides didn’t meet during the season. Limerick were undefeated kingpins in the weaker B group, while Tipperary, last year’s champions, struggled just to make the playoffs. Still, too much shouldn’t be read into Tipp’s struggles. When they had to win against Offaly to advance, they did without much trouble.
Tipperary will miss Trevor Fletcher if he’s not back from injury, but they still have plenty of experienced star power. Sean Quirke, John Madden, the Kennedy’s, and Tom Moylan are just some of the familiar names. They won’t shy away from the big game pressure.
Limerick have enjoyed their revival and have top players in Finbarr Flood, Tadgh Callaghan, and Dave Simms. The wild card will be imports. But that aside the pick here is Tipperary to join Connecticut in a rematch of last year’s Senior Hurling Final.
4:30 p.m., SFA semi
Clare vs. Cavan
The last match of the evening should be a good one as these two evenly matched sides go at it. Clare have already done remarkably well to qualify for the semifinal in their first season in the top flight.
The Banner don’t allow teams to put up big numbers. Evan Byrne is a good keeper whose long kick outs relieve the pressure on his backs. Rory Sweeney and Paul O’Connor lead the stingy back six. Paul Higgins wins a lot of ball at midfield and wily vet Martin Slowey leads a forward line that relies a lot on Mike Keaveney’s free taking.
Cavan had a solid if unspectacular year. Eugene O’Hagan and Francie Sheridan lead a dependable defense. If Shane Russell is healthy, he can give a boost at midfield or up front. Shane McAnerney, Brian Newman, and Michael Lyng can be dangerous up front. Cavan won their regular-season match back in June by 0-11 to 1-6 and we’re likely in for another close one on Sunday with Cavan my pick to squeak through to the finals.