Clonmel 1650, pure Irish lager, has teamed up with GAA stars, JJ Delaney and Diarmuid O'Sullivan 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

There are three more provincial final places up for grabs this weekend, and both Diarmuid O'Sullivan and JJ Delaney are predicting that Galway and Kilkenny will claim two of them. However, they have differing views on who will join Waterford in the Munster decider.

All-Ireland champions Kilkenny and Tipperary will become the last two teams to enter the race for Liam when they face Wexford and Limerick respectively on Sunday. The Tipp v Limerick Munster SHC semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds is a sell-out, while Kilkenny's Leinster SHC semi-final against old rivals Wexford is also set to test Nowlan Park's capacity.

Last year's All-Ireland runners-up Tipperary are the bookies' favourites against Limerick, but Diarmuid feels home advantage could yet prove decisive.

"The Gaelic Grounds is the one place Tipperary won't fancy going to," he claims.

"Whether it's hurling, rugby or soccer, Limerick supporters back their own to the hilt, so there's going to be a hostile atmosphere awaiting Tipp. I was talking to TJ Ryan at the Cork v Waterford semi-final in Thurles and he was quite bullish about Limerick's chances. I think they have a great chance, but you can be sure Cian Lynch won't get the freedom he got against Clare.

"It's now or never for this Tipperary team in terms of winning a second All-Ireland. They need to go through the front door, but this is going to be a huge test for them on Sunday. They have plenty of experience, but not of winning in Limerick.

"Noel McGrath's return to training will have given them a massive lift. It's great to see him back. If Tipp can win, it will be a big statement, but it's a big 'if'."

Having faced them on numerous occasions in recent years, JJ Delaney knows all about Eamon O'Shea's charges and feels they have enough experience and know-how in their locker to negotiate this tricky hurdle.

"Limerick had a great win over Clare and have unearthed a quality forward in Cian Lynch," the Kilkenny nine-time All-Ireland winning defender says.

"Like Kilkenny, Tipp have had a long break since the league and it would be a big blow to them if 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer is ruled out. He is their long-range free-taker and also plays around a lot of ball in the forward line.

"Having said that, Tipp have a bit more experience and Paudie Maher is capable of having a huge influence on the game. It will be an interesting battle between himself and Declan Hannon. Limerick will need to stop Maher if they're to have a chance."

The first of the Leinster SHC semi-finals takes place in O'Connor Park tomorrow evening and pits Galway against surprise packet Laois.

"I'm expecting a Galway win after their (quarter-final replay) demolition of Dublin," 'The Rock' says.

"But they won't have it all their own way against a Laois side that was very impressive in racking up 29 points against Offaly. A Leinster semi-final is bonus territory for Laois, but they won't stand back. Regardless of the result, they will get at least one more high-quality game this summer which will bring them on further. But I think Galway will have too much for them."

JJ also expects the Tribesmen to prevail.

"Galway were outstanding the last day against Dublin and if they beat Laois in the same manner, it will augur well for the rest of the year. But putting two good performances together has always been a problem for them," he cautiously notes.

"Laois will have a game-plan for them in the same way as Waterford had in the league quarter-final. They aren't going to make it easy for Galway. The Laois half forward line of Willie Hyland, Zane Keenan and Cha Dwyer is very strong and, remember, they came very close to beating Galway last year. But you would still have to fancy Galway to reach the Leinster final."

Diarmuid and JJ both give Kilkenny the vote of confidence to win the other Leinster SHC semi-final. Wexford will travel to Nowlan Park without Jack Guiney, who was sensationally dropped from the panel last weekend, while injury could rule out Kilkenny's Richie Power.

Former Cork full back O'Sullivan comments: "Wexford will need to hit the same heights as last year to beat Kilkenny. Their performances so far this year won't be good enough.

"But Wexford are capable of pulling out that big performance. We saw it last year when they went down to Cusack Park and drew with Clare. Kilkenny are vulnerable after suffering so many retirements, and Wexford will be saying to themselves 'if ever there's a chance to ambush them in Nowlan Park, this is it'.

"But it's a massive ask to go into the All-Ireland champions' backyard and win. Like the Gaelic Grounds, the atmosphere will be quite hostile and you'd wonder how Wexford will cope with that. It has the makings of a great game, but there are a lot of All-Ireland medals in that Kilkenny team and they know how to win. It comes naturally to them.

"So I would have to side with Kilkenny, especially with Guiney - who's an excellent free-taker - missing for Wexford."

After 66 championship appearances for the Cats, JJ Delaney will find himself in the unusual role of spectator with Joey Holden expected to fill his old number three jersey.

"There's a good buzz around the place coming into this game," the Fenian's clubman declares.

"Wexford impressed last year and they'll be coming up to Nowlan Park with confidence. I know Liam Dunne wasn't happy with their performance against Westmeath the last day, but they got the job done and will have found out a bit more about themselves. I actually think the decision to drop Jack Guiney could have a galvanising effect on them.

"However, I still think Kilkenny will have too much firepower for them, with or without Richie Power. There are still plenty of leaders in that team, even after all the retirements. I'm expecting a good game with Kilkenny to pull away in the last five or 10 minutes."

Clonmel 1650, pure Irish lager, has teamed up with GAA stars, JJ Delaney and Diarmuid O'Sullivan 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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