Clare and Limerick get the ball rolling in this year's Munster SFC in Cusack Park, Ennis on Saturday evening but, as per usual, all eyes will be focused on Kerry and Cork when they join the fray on Sunday, June 14th.

Reigning All-Ireland and Munster champions Kerry are odds-on favourites to capture a 77th provincial crown and it's difficult to bet against them considering that the options available to Eamonn Fitzmaurice now includes Colm 'Gooch' Cooper, Tommy Walsh and Paul Galvin.

Add Footballer of the Year James O'Donoghue, captain Kieran Donaghy, Johnny Buckley, Paul Geaney and Donnchadh Walsh into the mix and it's easy to see why they are priced as short as 3/1 to retain possession of the most coveted prize in Irish sport.

Their defence is backboned by the likes of All-Stars Paul Murphy and Peter Crowley, as well as the experienced duo of Marc O Se and Aidan O'Mahony, while there are few midfield pairings in the country who would fancy their chances of getting the better of David Moran and Anthony Maher.

All things considered it's almost impossible to look beyond the Kingdom, especially in the aftermath of Cork's lack-lustre showing against Dublin in the Division 1 final.

The alarm bells were ringing loud and clear for Brian Cuthbert and his backroom team following their 2-7 to 1-21 drubbing at the hands of the Dubs and there was little evidence to suggest that they are capable of throwing a spanner in the Kingdom's works.

Alan O'Connor's decision to come out of retirement will bolster their midfield but the Rebels appear to be lacking in most departments and, with the exception of the traditional rivalry between these two counties, there is no reason to think that they are capable of overturning last year's 0-12 to 0-24 final loss.

Colm O'Neill is the jewel in the Cork crown and if he can maintain the scoring form that propelled the Rebels to the league decider in the first place then they won't be without hope but Kerry's strength in depth is much greater and that will be a telling factor.

Outside of the top two, Tipperary have been making steady progress in recent years and it's only a matter of time before the Premier County make a big impression on the inter-county senior stage.

Last year Peter Creedon's charges reached the last 12 of the All-Ireland series before losing out to Galway and the qualifiers again represent their best chance of a prolonged run in the championship.

They should account for Waterford on Sunday week and a decent showing against Kerry in the last four would represent a job well done from their point of view.

Clare, meanwhile, also appear to be heading in the right direction under the management of Colm Collins but their mid-table finish in Division 3 indicates that there is scope for further improvement.

Despite the recruitment of hurlers Podge and Sean Collins, Cathal McInerney and Davy O'Halloran, they will have their work cut out to overcome the challenge of John Brudair's Limerick this weekend.

PREDICTIONS:

Champions: Kerry; Runners-up: Cork

ODDS (supplied by Paddy Power)

Kerry 1/2; Cork 15/8; Tipperary 16/1; Clare 50/1; Limerick 150/1; Waterford 250/1

FIXTURES

Quarter-finals

Saturday, May 23rd: Clare v Limerick, Cusack Park, Ennis; 7pm

Sunday, May 31st: Waterford v Tipperary, Semple Stadium, 3.30pm

Semi-finals

Sunday, June 14th: Kerry v Waterford/Tipperary, tbc, 3.30pm

Sunday, June 14th: Cork v Clare/Limerick, tbc, 3.30pm

Final

Sunday, July 5th: Semi-final winner v Semi-final winner, tbc, 2pm

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