Kerry were largely fancied to progress when these sides met in Croke Park last weekend, but in the end it was Kerry who needed a late free to stay in the hunt for All-Ireland honours.

Mayo will feel they left that game behind them as they were guilty of a number of late wides that could have seen them through, but they did more than enough to suggest they haven't missed their chance.

Once more all eyes will be on the prodigious Barry John Walsh who was tightly marked by Mayo's Kevin Keane last time out, but if he can play to his potential, along with James O'Donoghue, who has been restored to the side after injury, Kerry will prevail.

Verdict: Kerry.

All Ireland MHC 'B' final

(Extra time if necessary)

Westmeath v Kildare, Thurles, 1.0,

D Magee (Down)

These sides find themselves in opposition in hurling with increasing frequency and it's a tribute to the effort both counties have put into the game. Westmeath seem to have the upper hand and that should continue.

Verdict: Westmeath.

All-Ireland IHC final

Kilkenny v Limerick, Thurles, 2.30,

J McGrath (Westmeath)

Kilkenny hurling is on a crest of a wave at the moment and there is little evidence to suggest that Limerick can stop the juggernaut as the Cats look to complete a clean sweep of All-Ireland titles.

Verdict: Kilkenny

Tomorrow

All-Ireland SFC

semi-final replay

(Extra time if necessary)

Cork v Kerry, Croke Park, 2.0,

J White (Donegal)

*Live on RTE 2

Memo to the public: the published team lists are no more than a rough guide to the actual line-outs. The nonsense of naming dummy teams has even spread to Kerry and Cork, although quite why remains a mystery.

It was well known by last Saturday that Cork had no intention of starting the team as announced and that Graham Canty and John Miskella were going to replace Brian O'Regan and James Masters. Cork's announcement of the team in advance of the Donnacha O'Connor (right) appeal this week suggests that the actual line-up will again be different to the published 15.

His return may not be the only change either. Nicholas Murphy, James Masters and Noel O'Leary all impressed after coming on as subs and, given that Cork reached the 65th minute with only 1-5 on the board, there's a strong case for change from the named line-up.

As for Kerry, it's hard to buy into the idea that they are going to switch Tommy Griffin away from full-back to replace the suspended Darragh O Se at midfield. Besides, Eoin Brosnan played well enough in the second half last Sunday to deserve a starting spot.

Whatever about the eventual teamsheets, this really is a fascinating clash which comes down to this: Kerry have a greater number of potential match-winners than Cork, but must be getting worried that there's something spooky going on.

Are the gods turning on Kerry? Despite being overrun for long periods last Sunday, Cork survived against all the odds. Psychologically, it places big demands on Kerry to wind themselves up again for a test they thought they had passed with first-class honours.

Remember Clare v Offaly in the hurling semi-final in 1998? Clare looked much the better team in the replay tie which finished prematurely, but couldn't lift themselves the following week, whereas Offaly were a driven force second time round and seized the big chance.

Last Sunday's game ran its full course, but having survived in such dramatic circumstances, Cork will feel that their big chance has come, especially as it was the second time in seven weeks they had come back from an eight-point deficit against Kerry.

However, if Cork are to end the Croke Park bogey, they will need to be a whole lot more energised than they were for long periods last Sunday. Their attack might claim they came good in the end, but, as a unit, they were embarrassingly inept for more than an hour.

Kerry look to have a much wider scope than Cork, but have still to beat their great rivals from two outings in the championship over the last two months. That's a worry for them, especially as they will be without the suspended Darragh O Se. Still, that could turn into a powerful motivation to reach the final where team captain, Paul Galvin would also be eligible.

Despite the volatile trend this season seems to enjoy so much, Kerry remain the safer bet to make it through to their seventh All-Ireland final of the decade.

Last C'ship clash: Cork 3-7 Kerry 1-13 (Last Sunday).

Ladbrokes betting: Kerry 4/11; Cork 11/4; Draw 15/2.

Verdict: Kerry

Cork -- A Quirke; D Duggan, D Kavanagh, A Lynch; J Miskella, G Spillane, K O'Connor; A O'Connor, G Canty; S O'Brien, P O'Neill, K McMahon; D Goulding, M Cussen, J Hayes.

Kerry -- D Murphy; M O Se, T O'Sullivan, P Reidy; T O Se, A O'Mahony, K Young; T Griffin, S Scanlon; B Sheehan, C Cooper, D Walsh; D O'Sullivan, K Donaghy, T Walsh.

All-Ireland SFC

semi-final

Tyrone v Wexford, Croke Park, 4.0,

P McEnaney (Monaghan)

*Live on RTE 2

So who would have thought that Tyrone would be in the All-Ireland semi-finals after losing to erratic Down last June?

And who would have dared suggest that Wexford's rehabilitation after the Leinster final humiliation by Dublin last month would be so comprehensive that six weeks later they would be within one win of reaching the All-Ireland final for the first time in 90 years?

Tyrone's proven pedigree throughout the decade always gave them a decent chance of re-launching the season after the Ulster Championship defeat, but quite how Wexford recovered so quickly from the Dublin mauling is one of the great mysteries of the year.

It's a tribute to the resilience of the players and the motivational skills of manager, Jason Ryan. But then they were working off a solid base after reaching mid-July unbeaten in League or Championship. Having beaten Down and Armagh since the Dublin setback, Wexford will feel that they are well equipped to take on a third Ulster side.

Also, they have good memories of their last major clash with Tyrone, winning a League semi-final by a point in 2005. All of which leaves Wexford mentally strong as they prepare for the biggest challenge of their careers.

Tyrone's destruction of Dublin sent their stock soaring after a poor Ulster campaign, followed by an uninspiring march through the qualifiers, but, in terms of timing, they seem to have got things just right.

Wexford will attempt to clog the supply lines to Tyrone's inner forward trio, Tommy McGuigan, Sean Cavanagh and Colm McCullagh, a tactic that worked well against Armagh. However, Tyrone are experts at improvising, so it would be no surprise to see Cavanagh move further out and take his running game to the Wexford defence.

How Tyrone cope with Matty Forde will be crucial at the other end. He remains the main talisman although no longer the one-man attacking band he once was. He gets plenty of support nowadays from Ciaran Lyng, PJ Banville and Redmond Barry, so Tyrone will have to worry about much more than Forde's skilful armoury.

It really is an absorbing match-up, but on the basis that Tyrone are more proven at this level, they may settle into their routine that much quicker than Wexford. If that happens, they will clinch a third All-Ireland final date in six seasons.

Last C'ship clash: Tyrone 1-9 Wexford 0-10 (2002 Qualifiers)

Ladbrokes betting: Tyrone 4/9; Wexford 9/4; Draw 15/2.

Verdict: Tyrone

Tyrone -- J Devine; R McMenamin, Justin McMahon, C Gourley; D Harte, C Gormley, P Jordan; C Holmes, E McGinley; B Dooher, B McGuigan, Joseph McMahon; T McGuigan, S Cavanagh, C McCullagh.

Wexford -- A Masterson; D Walsh, P Wallace, B Malone; A Morrissey, D Murphy, C Morris; B Doyle, E Bradley; PJ Banville, R Barry, C Byrne; C Lyng, P Colfer, M Forde.

ESB All-Ireland MFC

semi-final

Meath v Tyrone, Croke Park, 12.15, M Meade (Limerick)

Tyrone have long been tipped to garner ultimate honours this year, and led by AFL target Kyle Coney, they have yet to disappoint.

However, they face Leinster champions Meath, with whom they will be very familiar after the Royals took them to a replay in the final of the Ulster Minor League. The Red Hand had two points to spare at half time during their quarter-final win over Roscommon and eventually won by seven points. Meath have shown their character several times over already in this competition so this contest has all the makings of a classic.

Verdict: Tyrone.

Odds supplied by Ladbrokes.com1800 777 888

MARTIN BREHENY AND DONNCHADH BOYLE