Mountrath and Slieve Bloom fancied to reach Intermediate decider
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THE race for county final places intensifies with four crucial hurling championship semi-finals down for decision across the Intermediate and Premier Intermediate grades.
The two Intermediate Championship last-four ties open proceedings in Rathdowney and Trumera before attention switches to Laois Hire O'Moore Park for a mouth-watering Premier Intermediate double-header.
After weeks of preparation, there is little room for error now, with the winners moving one step closer to silverware and promotion ambitions remaining firmly intact.
MOUNTRATH v THE HARPS RATHDOWNEY 3.30pm Mountrath enter their Intermediate semi-final against The Harps as one of the form teams in the competition and will be confident of reaching a second successive county final.
The Group B winners have enjoyed a lengthy break since completing a flawless group campaign. Three wins from three saw them advance directly to the semi-finals, while impressive victories over Ballypickas, Slieve Bloom and neighbours Trumera underlined their credentials.
Having fallen short against Clonad in last year's final, Mountrath have looked determined and focused throughout this year's championship and appear to be building momentum at the right time.
The Harps, meanwhile, have been forced to take the longer route. Defeat in their opening game against Borris/Kilcotton left them facing an early exit, but they responded admirably, edging Abbeyleix before recording a significant victory over Clough/Ballacolla.
That was enough to secure second place in a tightly contested Group A and they further strengthened their claims with a quarter-final triumph over Ballypickas.
The Harps have shown plenty of resilience throughout the campaign, but Mountrath's consistency, scoring power and extra recovery time could prove decisive.
ABBEYLEIX v SLIEVE BLOOM TRUMERA 3.30pm The second Intermediate semi-final sees Abbeyleix take on a dangerous Slieve Bloom side that has gathered momentum since the group stages.
Abbeyleix claimed top spot in Group A on scoring difference after wins over Clough-Ballacolla and Borris/Kilcotton. The only blemish on their record was a narrow defeat to The Harps, but overall they have demonstrated enough quality to secure direct passage into the semi-finals.
Their reward is a clash with Slieve Bloom, who impressed in the quarter-finals when they comfortably overcame Borris/Kilcotton.
Slieve Bloom's campaign has mirrored Abbeyleix's in many ways, with two wins and one defeat during the group stages. Their sole setback came against favourites Mountrath, while convincing victories over Ballypickas and Trumera highlighted their attacking threat.
A key factor could be the form of brothers Ben and Ciaran Conroy. Ben has been one of the championship's standout forwards, finding the net consistently, while Ciaran's accuracy from placed balls has made him equally influential.
Abbeyleix possess plenty of experience and will relish the challenge, but Slieve Bloom look to be peaking at exactly the right time.
If they can continue their recent form, they may have enough firepower to book a final berth.
Should those predictions prove correct, supporters would be treated to an intriguing Intermediate Championship final between two sides who have produced some of the best hurling in the competition so far this season.
