Could be in for a treat with two top class SFC semi-finals

And then there were four! The 2023 Joe Mallon Motors SFC semi-finals are down for decision this Saturday and Sunday with Athy taking on Celbridge and Naas facing up to Clane, a repeat of last season's decider at St Conleth's Park.

The action is once again at Manguard Park due to the re-development of St Conleth's and while come 2024 the action will once again be in Hawkfield, come the county final time in a little over 12 months, it is hoped we will return to St Conleth's, or to give it its new name Cedral St Conleth's Park, as planned and we were reliably informed recently that work on the redevelopment is bang on target, in fact possibly a couple of weeks ahead.

So back to the football action and on Saturday we have the opening semi-final with the mouth-watering clash between two of the heavyweights Athy and Celbridge, time for 4 pm.

Celbridge are currently installed as second favs to lift the title and that in itself is hardly a surprise. They have impressed at times; while at other times we have seen the 'soft' side of them but overall mostly impressive.

Athy come into this game in a somewhat similar vain; impressive at times, less so on other occasions but overall manager Vinny Walsh can be more than happy where his team is at the minute.

Athy defeated Raheens in the semi and while far from impressive that was one hell of a dirty day, with wind and rain making it almost impossible.

Athy have a decent defence, with the experienced Cathal McCarron, the Hyland boys and Darren Lawler in particular.
Midfield is strong with county man Kevin Feely and the Paschal Connell, a strong, forceful midfield that will take a lot of beating.

Up front Niall Kelly is probably the most in-form player of this championship; add in brother Barry, along with Sean Moore, Paudie Behan and Liam McGovern and they are a fair scoring outfit.

Celbridge on the other hand are look strong, seem to have stepped up a gear under former Clare manager, Michael McDermott. Shane McNamara is as good a keeper as what's around; they have either a present or former county man on every line of their team — Hugh McGrillen, Mick O'Grady, Kevin Flynn, Tony Archbold, Kevin O'Callaghan, Fergal Conway and Paddy Brophy; add in Killian Browne, Mick Konstantin, Davy Hughes — impressive one and all.

The fact that the game is in Hawkfield rather than St Conleth's one feels is a boost to Celbridge — experiences in Conleth's has left a scar, albeit a scar that could finally be beginning to fade.

All in all a real good game is expected from this one and all things considered with especially the fact that Celbridge would seem to have more players capable of getting the vital scores, the vote goes to the boys from the north of the county to book a final spot.

Prediction: Celbridge.

NAAS V CLANE
Odds on favourites, seeking three titles in a row, Naas certainly remain the team to beat and while they come up against their opponents from last season's final in Clane, they will come in to this one with their confidence high with expectations to match.
Clane will certainly be out for revenge after last season's defeat. No doubt they got their tactics all wrong in that finaland make no mistake manager Tom Cribbin won't be repeating that particular mistake.

The return of Brian McLoughlin is a major boost for the boys in white while Sam McCormack has been one of the most impressive players throughout this championship outside of the 'county' panelists. Operating in midfield, he is a fine fetcher, carries well, can kick points from play and frees while he has a knack of finding the net as he showed once again in the quarter-final.

Add in Sean Callan at full back, Tadhg Montgomery at no. 6; Shane McCormack, Shane O'Sullivan and Alan Fanning and you can see they have a formidable side.

And what of Naas?

They may not be firing on all cylinders but they already have the Leader Cup in their locker; have gone through to this stage undefeated; yes, were held by Athy to a draw but that is a game that can more or less be wiped from the memory.

But having said that they look like a team that are not firing on all cylinders; Darragh Kirwan is a big loss, he may be available this weekend but his game time has been practically nil of late.

Still one thing Naas do have is an extended panel and while the loss through injury of Tom Browne is being felt when they can bring in a player such as Eoghan Prizeman in his place, well that says a lot.

Full back line is strong; Brian Byrne is excellent while Cathal Daly and Mark Maguire are more than decent; the experienced Eoin Doyle has seen it all; Paddy McDermott on his day is as good a wing back as is around.
James Burke is no mean midfielder while Alex Beirne was the man-of-the-match against Moorefield.

Eamonn Callaghan personifies experience, calmness and remains a vital cog; Jack McKevitt (still think his best spot is on the half-back line) is one for the future; Kevin Cummins is young and knows where the goals is while the Hanafin boys can be more than a handful.

Still, as already said, there is a little doubt they have not hit full throttle yet in 2023, whether they can we will have to wait and see but all things considered difficult to see anything other than a win for Naas.

Prediction: Naas.