Michael Duignan expects Tipperary and Waterford to join Galway and Cork in the last-four of the All-Ireland SHC.

The new Páirc Ui Chaoimh will stage the two All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals this weekend, with Tipperary and Clare facing off tomorrow, and Waterford and Wexford meeting on Sunday.

Previewing both games on RTÉ Radio One's Morning Ireland programme, former Offaly star Duignan expects the absence of full back David McInerney to count against Clare, while he believes Waterford's greater strength in depth will prove too much for Wexford, who have been rejuvenated under former Deise boss Davy Fitzgerald this season. 

"What a player he (McInerney) is. I was really thinking that game was very much 50/50," Duignan said of the Tipp v Clare clash.

"Tipperary haven't been going brilliantly as we know, but I think they got a favourable draw with Dublin and Westmeath. Clare had great chances in the Munster final, they weren't that far away, but I think that injury to David McInerney is probably the crucial turning point.

"I think Tipperary will have more firepower."

Looking ahead to the weekend's second game, he continued: "Wexford will bring a lot of passion and a huge crowd, but I think Waterford's key players have come into form in the last few weeks.

"Tadhg de Burca, Jamie Barron and Austin Gleeson - they are the three men that make Waterford tick. Austin Gleeson was a little bit below Hurler of the Year form over the winter, but the last two games he has scored six and five points from play, while Jamie Barron in the middle of the field has been running the show."

"Lee Chin, Conor McDonald and Liam Ryan are key men for Wexford, but I think they key men for Waterford are that bit stronger and they have options off the bench in Patrick Curran and Colin Dunford in particular, who have been playing particularly well when coming on as subs.

"The strength in depth of Waterford and that bit more experience will do it for them."

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