Newtown take on Sarsfields on Saturday in the first of this years semi-finals of the TSB Senior Hurling Championship in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Both teams go into this game on the back of impressive performace in their respective Quartet-finals.

Sarsfields looked very impressive in the second half of their encounter with UCC. On that evening Sarsfields Scored 2:14 in the second half to totally outplay the students.

One of many starts on that night was Pat Ryan. Pat is a bit of an enigma in that whenever you see him play for his club you think to yourself “ This lad should be on the Cork team” but then whenever given a chance at the highest level he has always seemed to struggle. That said ,he has had a great year for Sarsfields up to now and a repeat performance from him will go a long way to seeing Sarsfields reach the Holy Grail.

Sarsfields have answered all the questions that have been asked of them so far this year. Erins Own gave them two great games in the third round and this will stand to them on Saturday.

Newtown looked very impressive in the first half of their Quarter-final against Imokilly but subsequent rumours regarding how much Imokilly were up for that game has put a slight blemish on their emphatic victory.

However, they have done all that has been asked of them and seem to be improving as the year goes on. Players like Philip Noonan, Ian Kelleher and Mike Morrissey are back to full fitness, the Cork contingent have had a couple of weeks to get over their disappointment and should be on the top of their game which is all positive for Newtown.

Ben O’Connor hasn’t trained since Cork’s defeat at the hands of Kilkenny and is a major doubt for Saturday. I can’t see him missing this game but he won’t be 100%.

Where will the game be won and lost ? The answer to this lies in Newtown half back line and Sarsfields half forward line. Both teams would consider these areas to be their strongest line of their team so whoever can come out on top in these areas will win this game.

With Pat Mulcahy having a great year for club and county, it is hard to see him being beaten too often. He is the anchor man of Newtown’s defence and you rarely see him playing well and Newtown loosing.

For that reason my tentative vote goes to Newtown but this one will go down to the wire.