Nemo have that certain pedigree

If tradition and experience count for anything then Nemo Rangers head into Sunday's AllIreland club semi-final with O'Hanrahan's as clear favourites. Manager Billy Morgan won't finalise his team until tomorrow morning but when he does so the strength will be immediately obvious.

Colin Corkery, Stephen O'Brien and Joe Kavanagh were all part of the Nemo team that last brought the All-Ireland club football title to Cork, in 1994. Martin Cronin, arguably Cork's best defender in the championship last season, stands out at midfield. And another two Kavanagh brothers - Derek and Larry, the captain - ensure the entire unit will be balanced and familiar.

But the most intimidating aspect of the club is their record. In the last 30 years Nemo have won six All-Ireland titles, nine Munster titles and 10 county championships. The seven-year gap since they last took the title is the longest since their first win in 1973.

It is the Carlow side's first appearance at this stage after emerging from the shadow of Eire Og to win their maiden Leinster title in December. And on that occasion they were also rank outsiders against Na Fianna.

"Of course we won't be underestimating O'Hanrahan's in the slightest," says Morgan, who himself has All-Ireland club medals with Nemo from 1973, as captain, and 1979. "We've looked closely at the video of their win over Na Fianna and we will be giving them all the respect that they deserve."

Morgan expects to name a unchanged team from that which beat Glenflesk in the Munster final. Before that game, Corkery was a major doubt due to an unusual problem with an irregular heartbeat. It was thought he would be out of the game until well into the new year but his surprise appearance had an obvious positive effect on the side.

"Thankfully there haven't been any further side effects for Colin," adds Morgan. "We've avoided any major injuries and I don't envisage any changes in the team."

Morgan's opposite number, Mick Dempsey, will name his team this evening. Almost certain to miss the game in Clonmel because of a shoulder injury is wing back Ken Kavanagh. Midfielder Philip Nolan also has an ankle injury but is more likely to be deemed fit.

Mark Carpenter should be restored after returning from suspension. The problem is David Birmingham, his replacement against Na Fianna, was man of the match after a pivotal second half performance and he too will be almost certain of a place.

Vinny English is one of the main contenders for one of the vacant spots and he would become the third family member to line out in the side. Captain Niall English is assured of his place at corner back, as is Barry English in the opposite corner.

Part of the problem facing O'Hanrahan's is that Nemo have a tendency to gain momentum once they come out of Munster. Castlebar Mitchels discovered that in 1994 when they came into the final with strong credentials but ended up with a 12-point hammering. Clann Na nGael suffered a similar fate in the final of 1989. The Carlow men will be hoping Nemo don't get a chance to maintain that statistic.