Castlepollard manager Jody Murray is adamant that their win over Castletown-Geoghegan in the group stages will count for nothing in Saturday's SHC semi-final.

Cusack Park will host an attractive double header as Pollard take on the defending champions, while Clonkill and Raharney do battle in the second semi-final.

Castlepollard caused the shock of the group stages by defeating the black and ambers, but Murray stressed to the Westmeath Examiner that result is in the past now.

"This is going to be a different game," stated Murray. "Castletown-Geoghegan will be at full strength again. It will be a big ask for our lads, but I think we can still win.

"We are the only team to beat them and they will want to put that right. It has all the ingredients of a great game. It means a lot to people. A lot of the younger guys haven't been here before as we haven't been hurling in October for a number of years."

Pollard have been dealt a blow with the news that JP Murray is out of the game after the former county player broke his collar bone in training. Doubts also surround the availability of the experienced Darren McCormack who is struggling to overcome injury also.

Murray concluded: "It's a knockout game and if we play with our hearts on our sleeves and give everything, we have a chance."

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