Two Co. Champions in Munster Championship action and a Western Hurling Final to be decided this weekend.

Another big weekend lies in store for G.A.A. Clubs in Waterford with two of the counties champions set to compete in Munster Championship action.

Passage recently won their first Munster Championship at Senior Level make their provincial debut at this level of hurling when they take on Limerick champions Na Piarsaigh at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick on Sunday afternoon.

The Limerick side are one of a handful of clubs that can boast a 100% record at this level of hurling, having never lost a game, but this fact is somewhat disguised as they recently only won their second county final, haven won their first title back in 2011.

The Limerick champions will go into this game in a confident mood and are the clear favourites to advance to the Munster Final where the opposition will be provided by Cork Champions Midleton or the Clare Champions who are yet to be found.

However, Waterford sides often revel with the underdogs tag attached to their backs and they will not leave the Limerick sides dictate things the way the bookies are expecting.

At the start of the year, few if any would have given Passage any chance of securing a first Waterford News and Star Cup, but under Peter Queally, they have improved all year and are worthy holders of the trophy.

The Limerick side are a side that will be expected to feature some very good players.

They however will have to make changes to the team which started their quarter final win over Tipperary champions Loughmore-Castleiney as full back Kieran Breen was dismissed on a straight red card two weeks ago and therefore misses this game.

David Breen, Jason O’Brien and Pat Gleeson are also expected to play vital roles in this game, but the players that Passage will have to keep a very close eye on are inter county pair Shane Dowling and Kevin Downes.

Just like Na Piarsaigh, Passage are expected to have to make changes to their county final winning team.

After the game, Inter county player Noel Connors went abroad for a number of weeks and he is expected to be unavailable for this game which will be a massive blow to the chances of Passage.

Liam Flynn and Richard Hurley are also reported to be carrying injuries and if they along with Noel Connors were to miss the game it would further dent the chances of Peter Queally’s charges.

However, no team is made up of one or two players, and Passage will be able to call on some tried and tested players that have played a part in winning a first county final recently to fill any voids. Players like Sean Hogan, one of Waterford’s victorious All-Ireland winning minor team have come on for Passage in many games throughout the year and played a vital part, including scoring a late crucial goal against Ballygunner and if he was to play a role from the start in this game, he wont let the side down.

Passage’s key player could well be Eoin Kelly. The former inter county hurler over the year has hit some impressive scores throughout the year, but there is some that would suggest that we have not seen the best of him this year, and maybe it could be apt that we will see him show exactly what he can do and in doing so win his side a place in a first Munster Club final.

Passage will go into this game as the underdogs and in the eyes of many if they were to get something from the game it would be a major eye-opener, but maybe no so in Waterford, because we have seen all year, that Passage can hold their own with what are perceived to be better sides.

While Passage will be doing battle in Limerick, another of Waterford’s County Champions – De La Salle will be in action at Walsh Park.

Seamus Quirke’s charges last weekend drew with Tipperary champions Ballyporeen at Clonmel after extra time meaning the two sides will have to do it all over again to see who will play the Cork Champions in the semi finals.

De La Salle last weekend played much of the game with a numerical disadvantage having had centre back Thomas Kearney sent off in the first half having collected a second yellow card.

At the break in that game, the Gracedieu men held a 3-1 to 1-2 advantage at the break, Mitchell Casey and Jake Dillon with a brace getting the goals. The latter started that game on the bench and went on for the injured Paddy Kennedy and will be looking to start this time around after his impressive contribution.

In the second half, the South Tipperary club proved to be the better of the two sides despite Ian Cantwell hitting a fourth goal for the side in white and red, as inter county footballer Conor Sweeney showed his class bringing his side level and then into the lead with time almost up, but a late Oran Keevers sent the game to extra time.

Both sides in extra time hit two points each in the first extra period of ten minutes and in the second ten minutes period with tiredness setting in, neither of the sides was able to find the score that would have won them the game.

Playing in Walsh Park, a ground that De La Salle will be very familiar with, will have to be a slight advantage for them, and are given a tentative vote to advance to the next round of the competition.

A third big game is also scheduled for Sunday afternoon, which could well attract a good attendance to Fraher Field.

Dungarvan and group side Saint Carthage’s are set to clash in the Western Under 21 hurling final, a game which taking conditions into consideration could well prove to be one of the games of the year.

Both sides go into this game in fine form. Both sides in their respective semi finals hit their opponents for seven goals.

Dungarvan against Abbeyside were the first of the sides to have seven green flags waved, something that Saint Carthage’s repeated last weekend when they beat fellow group side Comeragh Gaels in their semi finals and in the quarter finals they again hit a very impressive tally against Clashmore.

Both sides have some fine players to choose from, suggesting that a good game lies in store.

For the Old Boro, Darragh Duggan, Kevin Daly, Colm and Cathal Curran, Rian Crotty and Ryan Donnelly would be expected to be amongst their key players, but they could well have to line out without the brilliant Patrick Curran who broke his hand three weeks ago in his sides Minor County Final loss to De La Salle at Walsh Park and if he was to miss out on this game, despite his very young age, it would be a massive blow to his sides chances.

Saint Carthage’s also have some quality players in their line out.

The Barry brothers from Lismore – Sean, Ray and Stephen are all fine players as are the Bennett’s Kieran, Shane and Stephen from Ballysaggart. Through in Paudie and David Prendergast and there is some considerable quality to be found in the Saint Carthage’s lineout.

This is a game that could go right to the wire. It is one where the backs on both sides will have to be at the very top of their game as there is plenty of danger to be found in the two respective forward lines. The two teams also have two of the best young goal keepers around, and they too will have to be at the top of their game if their side is to advance.

This is the kind of game that the officers of the Western Board could well be secretly hoping would go to a replay. If it did, it would not be a major surprise. However, only one side can advance to a county final in the coming weeks.

If Patrick Curran does miss out as suggested for Dungarvan, it will make the group side the slightest of favourites to advance to the county final. Even if the younger of the four Curran brothers that have played senior hurling for Dungarvan this year is available, a hesitant vote could be given to the group side to advance, with the Barry’s and Bennett’s (with Stephen in particular) expected to play vital rolls.