By Michael Devlin

Kilkenny legend Jackie Tyrrell can’t wait to see the scintillating match-ups that will be thrown up in this weekend's All-Ireland Senior Hurling semi-finals.

“John Conlan on Daithi Burke at the weekend, I’d walk on glass to come up here and watch that duel!” said Tyrell ahead of Saturday’s clash between reigning champions Galway and Clare.

On Sunday, Limerick battle it out with Cork for a place in the decider on August 19th.

“Gearoid McInerney versus Tony Kelly, an absolute giant versus a fleet-footed little whippersnapper, how is that going to go? That’s just two duels in one game this weekend, and I just think we’re very lucky to be alive and experiencing all this.”

Tyrell was speaking at the launch of the Littlewoods Ireland Ultimate Croke Park Sleepover. The fashion, sportswear, electrical and home wear retailer are giving one lucky family of four the experience of a lifetime, to wake up in Croke Park on the morning of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final in a bespoke suite, transformed into a luxury penthouse complete with living room, master bedroom and bathroom.

But who does Tyrrell think will prevail this weekend to battle it out that day for the Liam McCarthy cup?

“Galway tick all the boxes as regards physicality, athleticism, hurlers, a good balance between attack and defence. Limerick are of a similar mould. Very rugged, youthful and well able to hurl.

“Cork are probably the most athletic team left. There's probably a slight imbalance, their defence is still suspect enough. Clare are probably not as athletic, likewise with Cork, but are a pacier team and probably not as strong at the back.

“I think we’re looking at a Limerick-Galway All-Ireland. I just think they’re two more balanced outfits. I have question marks over the Clare and Cork defences, and being an ex-defender, Croke Park is a tough place when you’re coming up against top forwards. I just think they are two questions marks whereas the other two, I don’t have as many question marks about them."

A long ball approach from Clare will not cut it against Galway believes Tyrrell, given the aerial ability of McInerney and Burke.

“They need to stretch it and keep width in their attack and they need to play it through the lines. They need the 20 or 30 yard pop passes because they haven't got the ball winners to hit long high ball down. Peter Duggan is decent in the air but he's not an outlet that's going to trouble Galway.

“I think Clare should bring Conor Cleary back on Jonathan Glynn and make it a wrestling match because that's what it's going to be. I think Clare need McInerney doing an awful lot more than just sitting there and going toe-to-toe with Johnny Glynn.”

Limerick go into Sunday’s encounter with Munster champions Cork full of confidence after a rip-roaring win over Kilkenny a fortnight ago, and Tyrrell thinks their bench will have a huge part to play in matching the physicality of the Rebel County.

“Because Cork are so athletic they're going to run the legs off Limerick and they will need the guys to come in. You saw it the last day with Shane Dowling coming on, Peter Casey and William O'Donoghue.

“Croke Park is a different place where people aren't used to it. Galway are probably the only team out of four that are used to playing in that environment. I know a few of the Cork lads have played there as well. It is a bigger pitch.

“It will be high octane against Cork. They do like to stretch the field and run the lads in the middle third. The legs that they have in Conor Lehane, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Mark Coleman. A lot of young energetic lads so that bench is going to be crucial for them.”

In a long and distinguished career in the amber and black stripes, Tyrrell amassed nine All-Irelands and four All-Star awards before hanging up the hurl in 2016. With a wealth of semi-final experience to look back on, it’s the 2014 game with Limerick that stands out in his memory.

“It was unbelievable, warrior-like almost. Limerick had us to the pin of our collar. I remember in the second half I was marking Graham Mulcahy, and I couldn’t see 20 yards in front of me because of the rain. I was only shadowing Mulcahy and I didn’t know whether the ball was coming or not. I don’t think he did either, he was just making runs for the sake of it, it was that hard.

“It was just colossal, an epic game. We somehow scraped through. I never kind of celebrated an All-Ireland, like jumping up and down, but I ran to Brian [Cody] that day. I’d never done that before, even after some All-Irelands. That day felt so special, they turned on the lights here and it just had that cauldron feel to it.

“Looking back Limerick probably should have beaten us, they had us on it. We got that goal from the high ball, Larks and Richie Power are still arguing over who flicked it. We had an element of luck that day, but it’s a really special one for me. The elements and excitement of it, it was just brilliant.”

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