Like a demanding steeplechase race, fallers look likely to be aplenty this weekend as the football and hurling championships move inexorably towards the penultimate stages of the provincial competitions. Kevin Carney assesses the respective strengths of the various runners and riders.Leinster SHC semi-final Kilkenny v Offaly Not so long ago, there were people within Kilkenny lighting candles for the black and amber. However, last year's All-Ireland triumph fairly drove a carriage and six horses through the theory that Kilkenny's hurling pedigree was on the cusp of losing its shine. Yet the snipers in the long grass were out again down in the Marble City and its environs in the wake of the team's 3-8 to 2-21 defeat to Clare in the league semi-final last April. Fickle fans or what? In fairness, the fair-minded and seasoned Kilkenny supporters viewed the league exit with greater vision and calmness. Since when did league form give anyone a pointer towards the championship's pot of gold? And, of course, Kilkenny locked horns with Clare on April 29th with a weakened line-out. Minus the rich talents of such as Willie O'Connor, Phil Larkin, Brian McEvoy, Denis Byrne, Charlie Carter, D.J. Carey and Henry Shefflin, it was more a case of Kilkenny Mark 2 when compared to the side that lifted the Liam McCarthy Cup some seven months earlier. Whatever about the challenge to be posed by Offaly this weekend, the Cats will not be able to afford to be without a half-dozen of their best men if they want their championship season to extend beyond the one outing. Taking a gamble on blooding young 'uns in the league is one thing but Kilkenny will need a fully fit D.J. Carey - a grave doubt with an ankle injury - and a five star showing from the other old hands to see off the challenge of Offaly who will be gunning for revenge after last year's All-Ireland final mauling. An injury to John Troy (hamstring) is worrying though for the Faithful County. Offaly will be seeking to reproduce the form they showed against then All-Ireland champions Cork in last year's championship semi-final but anything less and their recent litany of disappointments at the hands of Kilkenny will surely be extended. Offaly's unpredictability can be their trump card or their achilles heel. In contrast, Kilkenny's consistency in the championship is one of the hallmarks of their game. Which team ends up sticking to tradition in this weekend's semi-final will surely be decisive in determining the destination of the spoils. The fact that there's no second chance this year, unlike the last three times the sides met in the provincial decider, should make for an intense, even more exciting and frenetic affair. But will that fact serve to sharpen Offaly's scalpel-like ability to cut down the favourites in full-flight? Because of the polish and panache they showed in careering to the All-Ireland title last year, Kilkenny have a lot to live up to this time around and with doubts surrounding the fitness levels of Brian McEvoy (shoulder injury), Henry Shefflin (should be okay though) and Phil Larkin, the team will doubtless breath a huge sigh of relief should they negotiate the first hurdle. Michael Bond has to try and work the oracle again, but this time without the services of Joe Dooley and Michael Duignan (retired) plus the promising Mick O'Hara (injured). He has, of course, the Whelahan clan to rely on though. Offaly can never be written off but . VERDICT: Kilkenny Leinster SHC semi-final Laois v Wexford Laois have been rated as 100/1 to lift the Liam McCarthy Cup this year. Their escape from jail against Dublin did nothing to shorten those odds either. On the face of it, Tony Dempsey's young Wexford side look odds-on to advance in the competition at the first time of asking this weekend. But can we be so sure that Paul Cuddy's goal against Dublin will be the highlight of the year for Laois hurling supporters? What about the fire and brimstone, all-action hurling that Laois traditionally bring to the big stage? Certainly, Paul Cuddy and the rest of the Laois players will be itching to add to their successful revenge mission against the Dubs when they stand toe to toe with the Model County in Sunday next's provincial semi-final. The game ahead will mark the first meeting of the two counties in the championship since 1994 when Wexford ran out 4-24 to 4-6 winners. It goes without saying that Laois have a few old scores to settle with Wexford but beating a depleted Dublin team by 1-15 to 2-11 can hardly be taken as any guarantee that fighting spirit alone will see them running Wexford even close on Sunday. Niall Rigney's absence is a serious blow to Laois. His power, leadership qualities and experience is the stuff which helps conjures up all sorts of illusions of grandeur. After a very poor league campaign in which they finished seventh in division 1B with nil points, Laois visibly improved with their round-robin head-to-heads with Carlow and Meath and in the Dublin match the players at least showed that they are beginning to score much more freely. It goes without saying though that the Laois attackers will find the Wexford defence a tad bit more watertight than the opposition they've dealt with to date in this year's championship. Even the Cuddy twins, Paul and David, will find it very difficult to find the sort of latitude they've been gotten used to so far. Even the help once again of Lazarus may not sufficiently help the Laois cause this time around. Meanwhile, as far as Wexford are concerned, depending on how much they win/lose by on Sunday will tell a tale with regard to just how much hurling in the county has gone back since Liam Griffin's heyday. The glory days of '96 are fast fading into obscurity and the county's tame show last year against Offaly has only hastened the return of the ghost of the bad old days. Former All-Ireland hero Rod Guiney will play no part against Laois with Gary Laffan coming in in his stead. Even if they do manage to start brightly, Larry Murphy and Barry Goff will be 100% capable of lasting the full 70 minutes. The return of veteran Larry O'Gorman will be a boost though. The emergence of ace freetaker Paul Codd has been a real bonus for Wexford, post-'96 though and his accuracy alone from placed balls should go a long way to ensuring an opening round win for his team. VERDICT: Wexford Munster SHC semi-final Waterford v Limerick Where once those in the long grass were waiting to signal the end of Eamon Cregan's final hour (and a bit) as Limerick boss, the county's brillant win over Cork last time out has seen the man's arch detractors have to swallow a lot of humble pie. Limerick's lark at the Lee at Cork's expense has painted a whole new vista for a county which hadn't won a Munster championship game since beating Waterford in 1997. Eamon Cregan's promising pool of players has built on a credible league campaign in Division 1A at the end of which they finished with eight points and in third spot. They could have ended up better placed but a fall-off in form let them down. Of course, much is expected of Limerick. The county's All-Ireland under 21 success delivered a real shot in the arm of hurling in the county. And in the likes of Brian Begley, Barry Foley and James Butler Limerick do appear to possess the power, skill and scoring ability to consolidate their joy to date. But what a way to chalk up your first championship win! Cregan's passionate interview in the immediate aftermath of the 1-16 to 1-15 win at Pairc Ui Chaoimh spoke volumes for the relief he must have felt personally considering the way his team were viewed in some quarters as veritable lambs to the slaughter. Limerick were humbled last year by Cork but they seem a more physically imposing team this season and certainly much more experienced. The return of Ciaran Carey has magnified the team's overall improvement in the last 12 months also. On the other side of the coin, the absence of the retired Joe Quaid and Stephen Lucey - who chose to concentrate on football this year - has made Limerick's quality in depth that wee bit thinner on the ground. Injuries could well wreak their best laid plans. But what of Waterford? Will this be Gerald McCarthy's final fling with the Decies? The former Cork star is now in his fifth year with Waterford and he'll be doing his damndest to ensure that his decision to put off his retirement is proven to be a wise one. Like Limerick, Waterford simply can't afford to have any of their better players on the injured list. How able will Stephen Frampton and Ken McGrath be on June 10th to give off their best? It's difficult to see the Decies beating Limerick if both Frampton and McGrath are not flying on all cylinders in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. The switch of Fergal Hartley to centre-forward is an interesting manoeuvre while a lot of eyes will be focussed on debutant John Mullane and Seamus Prendergast at full-forward. The fact that Tony Browne is all set to play the full 70 minutes this weekend is, of course, a great bonus to McCarthy's side but Waterford need a consistently good display against Limerick by all the players and not just Browne if they are to be in the running in the dying embers of the game. The mood needs to be right with Waterford one feels. Gerald McCarthy opted for a one year extension. He looks set to be denied a fond farewell though. VERDICT: Limerick. Tweet

Most Read Stories