Hurling predictions and tips for All-Ireland semi finals: Clare to overhaul Cats

Free GAA hurling tips, best bets and match previews for this weekend's All-Ireland semi finals.

Best bets

Clare
3pts 4-5 general

Both teams to score a goal and Clare to win
1pt 7-4 Paddy Power/Betfair

Kilkenny-Clare double result
1pt 19-4 Bet365

Shane O'Donnell (Clare) to score over 2.5 points
2pts 6-4 BoyleSports

Limerick to win by six points or fewer
1pt 6-4 Bet365

Over 1.5 Limerick goals
3pts 10-11 BoyleSports

Aaron Gillane (Limerick) to score a goal
1pt 11-8 Bet365

Declan Hannon (Limerick) to score over 0.5 points
2pts5-6 Paddy Power/Betfair

Kilkenny v Clare

RTE & Sky Sports Arena, 5.30pm Saturday

And then there were four. A massive weekend of hurling awaits as Kilkenny, Clare, Limerick and Galway fight it out in the All-Ireland semi finals - and an all-Munster decider is the most likely outcome.

Kilkenny and Clare get proceedings underway on Saturday night, and the Banner are a confident selection to reach their first All-Ireland final since lifting Liam MacCarthy in 2013.

The general feeling throughout this year's provincial fixtures was that Munster hurling looks a step ahead of matters in Leinster, and Clare have been far more impressive in going unbeaten throughout the Munster championship than Kilkenny were in winning the Leinster title.

Brian Lohan's men have found only Limerick too strong in this year's championship, but they still managed to draw with the All-Ireland champions in May and forced extra time in the Munster final before coming up short by three points. That is no mean feat.

The Banner have come of age this season, developing consistency, raising their intensity and playing with much greater confidence,a s they showed when overcoming a six-point deficit with ten minutes to go against Wexford last time.

It is never easy to overhaul Brian Cody's men in big moments at Croke Park, as Limerick found out in the 2019 All-Ireland semi final.

However, Clare are playing with a better style at the moment and Lohan can be relied on to have his troops well prepared. It's surprising that his side are not a shorter price given their excellent form.

There could also be some value in backing both teams to score a goal and Clare to win. The Banner have enough attacking fire to cause Kilkenny problems, but they also coughed up three goals against Wexford last time and failed to keep a clean sheet in their five provincial outings.

Meanwhile, Kilkenny's 14 goals in five games in the Leinster round-robin was more than any other side.

The Cats have huge experience of Croke Park, but the style of Clare's play should be well suited to the Dublin turf. Top forward Shane O'Donnell could excel and is fancied to score at least three points.

The Cats are more used to big-game environments and can be expected to settle into the game quickly, while Clare have not led at half-time in three of their last four games, so it could be worth taking a chance on Kilkenny being in front at the break and Clare winning.

Limerick v Galway

RTE & Sky Sports Arena, 3.30pm Sunday

It's difficult to envisage anyone stopping Limerick this season and they can move one step closer to a fourth All-Ireland title in five years with victory over Galway.

Galway need to show considerable improvement from their disappointing Leinster final defeat against Kilkenny if they are to shake up the best side in the country, although the Tribesmen took confidence from beating Limerick in the Allianz League this year.

Still, they edged Cork by only a point last time, and Limerick will give them a far stronger test, especially since they are operating with a squad that is close to full fitness. The outstanding Cian Lynch is in contention to play some part after a spell on the sidelines.

Limerick haven't been blowing sides away in this year's championship. They beat Waterford by three points, Tipperary by seven after a prolonged battle and drew twice with Clare in ordinary time before prevailing by three following extra time in the Munster final.

Odds of 6-4 about the title holders winning by six points or fewer looks fair, but there is also some value in the scoring markets.

Galway have conceded soft goals and that could be exploited by a ruthless Limerick side, and star forward Aaron Gillane. Backing Limerick to score at least two goals makes plenty of appeal, as does Gillane to raise a green flag at 11-8.

Declan Hannon has scored in each of the last two All-Ireland finals at Croke Park and has popped up with a score in three of Limerick's five Munster fixtures this year. He can get on the scoresheet again at 5-6.

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