Kilkenny and Tipperary Face Off in Hurling Semi-Final

Neighbours and age-old rivals are set to meet again. We've been waiting six years for it happen. A lifetime when it's Kilkenny and Tipperary we're talking about. Back then it was the 2019 All-Ireland final, a match won comfortably in the end by the Premier, as was the case when the blue and gold claimed Liam MacCarthy against the same opposition three years previous.

On Sunday next, it's a last-four assignment for both. For Kilkenny, it's ten years since they scaled the summit and four final appearances since have ended with them in the losers corner. Time then to go those extra steps, with underage success also scarce in recent times.

Looking ahead to the clash with Tipperary, Jackie Tyrrell, speaking on the latest edition of the RTÉ GAA Podcast summed it up, when saying: \"There is pressure on Kilkenny\". He continued: \"There is a feeling of pressure of losing those minor and U-20 finals and in the recent All-Ireland finals we have played against Tipp they have beaten us. We haven't won an All-Ireland in ten years, that's a decade.\"

That said, the nine-time All-Ireland winner is confident that the Cats can progress to the decider and also lessen the fallow periods that have punctuated some of their championship matches. \"With Limerick gone it has given everyone a lease of life 'we can win this'\", he added. \"I feel Kilkenny will be more consistent and when they do have these lulls, they will shut it down a little bit more. I think Eoin Cody returning offers them another dynamic; they have Mossy Keoghan in better form this year. Billy Ryan is in better form; Jordan Molloy has brought a lot of energy; Cian Kenny is probably playing at a little higher level than last year. When you stack up all those, it's Kilkenny just about.\"

In the opposite corner, former Tipperary custodian Brendan Cummins highlighted one dynamic that Liam Cahill's side have brought to the party this year. \"Tipp have brought a new energy which has enthused the supporters,\" he said. \"I went to the game against Limerick (first game in Munster round-robin) in Thurles. Tipp supporters went 'we have the auld enemy at home and you never know what might happen'. And all around the stand as the 'Tipp, Tipp, Tipp' craic started the belief started to get through to the supporters. I was watching the young fellas down with the older bucks like John McGrath and Jason Forde - and they have not gone away either. The team have a different energy about them this year. Getting through Munster was a huge push on and I'm delighted for Liam because he has done a huge job for Tipp. I see what he went through last year, especially after the Cork game (Tipp lost by 18 points in Munster round-robin), both inside and outside the county. It was extremely unfair the criticism he got but he understands that that is the nature of it. He bottled it and now we are seeing it out the other side.\"

Cummins' confidence ahead of the semi-final is accentuated by what he sees as Tipp's ability to raise green flags. \"When Jake Morris breaks the line, Tipp are the best team in the country for getting goals,\" he remarked. \"Once they beat the offside trap inside the opposition 65 and head on, more often than not they make the right decision. It's a skill of Tipp that they can hit that stick pass 35 yards to hand. That skillset is something Tipp will have to lean on if they are to get across the line here. Creating goal chances. Energy so far has led them to this point. There is no reason why they can't get over this hurdle.\"

Listen to the RTÉ GAA Podcast on the RTÉ Radio Player, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the All-Ireland Camogie Championship quarter-finals with RTÉ Sport. Waterford v Clare on Saturday from 2.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player and Tipperary v Kilkenny on Sunday from 1.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Watch the All-Ireland Hurling Championship semi-finals with RTÉ Sport. Cork v Dublin on Saturday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player and Kilkenny v Tipperary on Sunday from 3.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow live blogs on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to commentaries on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game at 10.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.