They may have reached the last four of the Ulster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship by doing things the hard way but Carey Faughs and Castleblayney are likely to have shared the belief that close calls in their respective Quarter-Final ties have merely sharpened their appetite for Saturday’s Semi-Final set-to at Colmcille Park, Carrickmore (1.30pm).
Antrim champions Carey have improved as the season has unfurled and having rediscovered their scoring touch they may play with added conviction today particularly if they get off to a good start.
In Conleth McKinley, James Black, Callum Kane and Conor McBride, the Faughs have players who provide stability and an attacking drive within their side that could pose problems for the Castleblayney defence.
McKinley and McBride in particular can carry a big threat and if they are provided with ample possession they could carve out scores.
When the Faughs break at pace they are capable of carrying a big threat but they simply cannot afford to squander scoring opportunities.
Castleblayney, meanwhile, just managed to get the better of Armagh champions Middletown by a point at the Quarter-Final stage (0-17 to 1-13) and will hope to assemble a more convincing score. It was touch and go as to just how they would emerge from their Middletown joust by they just managed to ease to victory in the end of a thrilling contest.
In Fergal Rafter and Niall Garland they have two particularly efficient finishers who are capable of scoring from distance. Rafter especially has been turning on the style as a marksman from frees and open play and his accuracy helps to sustain his team’s morale more often than not.
Castleblayney, indeed, have tended to progress quietly but should they rise to the occasion today they could make life difficult for their opponents and at the same time book their passage into the provincial Intermediate decider.