Clonmel 1650, pure Irish lager, has teamed up with GAA stars, JJ Delaney, Diarmuid O'Sullivan and Brendan Cummins to bring hurling fans live commentary, analysis and opinion on all the Championship games through their 'Moments of the Championship' campaign. Follow @clonmel1650 and #Clonmel1650hurling

For hurling fans, Thurles is the only place to be this weekend. Tomorrow evening, Semple Stadium hosts two mouth-watering All-Ireland SHC Round 2 qualifiers involving Dublin and Limerick and Cork and Clare. Then on Sunday afternoon, Tipperary and Waterford contest the Munster SHC final, which is always one of the highlights of the Irish sporting year.

Having played in several Munster finals during his glittering Cork career, Diarmuid O'Sullivan knows just how big an occasion it is.

"The steam will be rising off the ground on Sunday," he says with excitement in his voice.

"It's going to be a wonderful occasion and spectacle. It could be the first sell-out Munster final in Thurles since the Cork-Waterford finals of a decade ago. Waterford will bring huge support and Tipperary are at home. The atmosphere will be electric."

Waterford have already had a wonderful season. They edged out Tipp en route to lifting the Allianz League title in the spring and remain the only unbeaten team in senior inter-county hurling this year.

"It's intriguing to say the least," continues Diarmuid.

"You can make an argument for both sides (winning). Ultimately, there can only be one winner and I think it will be Tipp. They are that bit further along in terms of development and winning a Munster title is the shortest route to an All-Ireland final. They've only the one All-Ireland to show for, and that's a disappointing return for a team with all their talent.

"I don't expect the league semi-final to have any bearing. But what Tipp will have learned from it is that Tadhg de Burca and Kevin Moran are central to Waterford's game plan.

"Do I give Waterford a chance? Of course I do. They are growing and growing, and have risen to every challenge they've faced so far this year. But it's probably 55/45 in Tipp's favour."

JJ Delaney also has a slight fancy for Eamon O'Shea's men and expects Brendan Maher to have a key role to play for them.

"Tipp got a taste of Waterford's running game in the league semi-final and will have learned from that," the Kilkenny great maintains.

"Waterford like to crowd the middle and I feel Tipp will try to counteract that by bringing Brendan Maher back from the half forward line to assist James Woodlock and Shane McGrath. If Tipp win the midfield battle, they will be able to get quality ball into Seamie Callanan and 'Bubbles' (O'Dwyer). Tipp looked good against Limerick and they should do the business on Sunday."

Delaney feels Pauric Mahony's absence through a season-ending leg injury could really hurt the Deise.

"Waterford did well against Cork without Paudie. Maurice Shanahan really stepped up to the plate," he notes.

"But the tighter the games get, the more they are going to miss him. Tipp need a trophy and they need to win this one more than Waterford. That's why I think they'll shade it."

While 'The Rock' and JJ are both siding with Tipp on Sunday, they are predicting different outcomes to tomorrow's All-Ireland qualifiers, the winners of which will progress to All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Looking at the Dublin v Limerick tie first, O'Sullivan says: "It's 50/50 really. Both teams have very good sets of hurlers, but neither has set the world alight this year. You could argue that Limerick havegone back a bit. Ger Cunningham has a tough enough first season with the Dubs, but he may get a winning performance this weekend."

JJ comments: "Limerick have so far failed to live up to the high standards they set for themselves last year. They made five changes for the game against Westmeath last Sunday and it will be interesting to see what their team selection is for this one. If they can regain last year's form, they can win.

"Dublin have looked a different team since Liam Rushe returned to centre back. That's his natural position and he's able to dictate games from there. Dublin are going to have to throw off the shacklesif they're to stay in the championship. But I'd fear for them. When you see a player of Michael Carton's calibre quitting the panel a few days before a knockout championship game, it doesn't bode well."

Diarmuid is expecting a big performance from his beloved Cork in their joust with Clare.

"This could very easily have been the Munster final pairing, but it's not and it's do-or-die for both teams. Both did professional jobs against Wexford and Offaly respectively last weekend. It's a hard one to call," he admits.

"Both have very good forwards, but are not so good at the back. Clare probably have the better midfield. While I have been disappointed with Cork so far this year, this could be the weekend when they finally ignite. I know that Clare have got a few big names back, but I have a sneaky feeling for Cork."

The Cloyne man feels the Cork players owe it to Jimmy Barry-Murphy to give it everything they have.

"It's unacceptable that some people in Cork are building this up to be Jimmy's last game as manager. I know Jimmy well and how much he puts into the Cork job, I know he won't want to go this way. Davy Fitzgerald has had the upper hand on him, so there's a big incentive there for Jimmy to turn the tables.

"There's pressure on Davy too and the criticism he receives has also been very unfair. He's constantly having to stand up for himself."

JJ, who will be covering the all-Munster clash for Sky Sports, says: "Cork and Clare produced two brilliant games in the drawn and replayed All-Ireland finals of 2013, and this has the potential to be another great contest.

"Cork deployed Mark Ellis as a sweeper against Wexford and it worked well. They didn't concede a goal and I can see them setting themselves up the same way again. Clare have been working away quietly since Limerick beat them in the Munster championship. Tony Kelly is coming into form and Brendan Bugler, Conor McGrath and Colm Galvin all made their returns against Offaly. It was an ideal game in which to reintroduce them.

"Conor Lehane was very impressive for Cork last weekend and Clare will need to nullify him. It's going to be intriguing both on the field and on the sideline. I can see Clare getting goals and I'm goingwith them for that reason."

Also taking place this weekend is the Ulster SHC final between Antrim and Down in Owenbeg.

"It's difficult to look past Antrim," JJ opines.

"They've been dominant up there for so long and will want to finish what has been a very disappointing year for them on a high. There is no route into the All-Ireland for either of these teams,but there's still a provincial title at stake and I don't know too many who would turn their noses up at that."

'The Rock' is aso forecasting an Antrim victory.

"From staying with friends in Newry over the years, I have a particular interest in Down hurling. Whereas Antrim still believe they can progress, Down, I feel, have reached the stage where they've hit a brick wall. It's a shame because hurling needs teams like Down to be competitive."

Clonmel 1650, pure Irish lager, has teamed up with GAA stars, JJ Delaney, Diarmuid O'Sullivan and Brendan Cummins to bring hurling fans live commentary, analysis and opinion on all the Championship games through their 'Moments of the Championship' campaign. Follow @clonmel1650 and #Clonmel1650hurling

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