A VERY open and very strong semi final line up takes the field this Sunday for the All Ireland club hurling semi finals. The outsiders will be Antrim and Ulster representatives, Dunloy, who face Kilkenny's Glenmore at Croke Park.

Despite their long shot status, Dunloy have the most recent experience of the championship - and Croke Park - after last year's replayed final against eventual champions Birr.

"We left it behind on St Patrick's Day," is the rueful mantra which sums up memories of last March's final. Played on a foul day, the match was notable for Dunloy's early aggression and sharpness which put them four points clear at half time.

Contrary to assumption, Dunloy prefer a dry sod and feel that they would have capitalised decisively on their chances had the ground not been wet and slippery. Chances were missed and, eventually, Birr stirred themselves to sneak a point ahead. Dunloy equalised but, despite a creditable second half performance in the replay, they were blitzed early on and went in at half time, trailing by 13 points.

"There was no difficulty motivating the players really," says coach Seamus Elliot, about the task of lifting his players after last year. "We believe we can come out with a result and go one step further than last year." Behind such predictable optimism lies the shadow of the teams' last meeting at the same stage of the competition five years ago. Glenmore won that en route to the All Ireland.

"In 1991, we were inexperienced," says Elliot. "It was our first county title. The club was founded in 1908 and didn't win its first senior title until 1991. After the championship, everything else was a bonus. In 91 we had to go to Nowlan Park, this time it's Croke Park. We still have 10 of those players and a lot more experience."

Elliot reckons that Dunloy are an improved team this year. "We're a fast, agile side. This year we're scoring 15 or 16 points in all games. It's been harder. We had to go to London (to play St Gabriel's) and that's tricky."