KILBRITTAIN hurlers are one step away from an All-Ireland hurling final in Croke Park.

Leinster champions Davidstown-Courtnacuddy of Wexford stand in the Carbery club’s way of a trip to the big house, as their AIB All-Ireland junior hurling championship semi-final takes place this Saturday in Clonmel (1pm).

Looking at both sides’ journeys to the last four and the counties they hail from, this appears a tight game to call.

While Kilbrittain won the Munster final against Waterford club Kilrossanty by 2-17 to 0-9, Davidstown saw off Kildare side Clane by 3-12 to 0-11 to claim the Leinster title.

They may have been just the third Wexford club to win Leinster at this grade in the last 25 years, but they have posted some impressive tallies on their route to the All-Ireland series.

Kilbrittain have too, which makes this tie so fascinating.

Davidstown have played 12 championship games this season and have failed to score a goal in only one of those. Overall, they have hit the back of the net 31 times.

In their last seven games, the Leinster champions have had some notable marksmen – and ones Kilbrittain will need to keep a close eye on. Former Wexford hurler David Dunne has scored 8-10 from play in those seven matches. The 32-year-old has a Leinster medal with his county from 2019 and will be a major threat. Páuric Doyle (2-35), Oisín Hayes (3-11), James Doyle (5-4) and Brian Smith (2-11) have also been in flying form.

It’s worth noting, too, that they won the third tier of Wexford hurling at intermediate A level. For context, Kilbrittain won the fifth tier of Cork hurling.

The south-easteners have averaged 24.67 points per game while conceding 17.58. Wins on their run included victories over Kilkenny club Barrow Rangers (2-16 to 0-15), Westmeath’s St Brigid’s (4-21 to 3-9) and their county final triumph over Duffry Rovers (3-15 to 0-16).

Kilbrittain have averaged 23.43 points scored, conceding 16.86. The margins are very tight.

The Black and Amber can call upon Mark Hickey (1-56), Josh O’Donovan (0-18), Luke Griffin (2-12), Bertie Butler (2-11) and Conor Hogan (2-10) to deliver the goods, while the West Cork side will be looking for James Hurley to do a similar man-marking job to the one he performed on Padraig Fitzgerald in the Munster final.

Captain Philip Wall will look to lead by example once more, and Ronan Crowley is another shrewd operator.

In Davidstown’s last seven matches, they have scored at least two goals in every game. Notable tallies include six, five, four and three, while Kilbrittain have kept just two clean sheets in seven games.

If the West Cork club can limit the goal threat from the Wexford champions, they will have a real chance of winning this. Also, Joe Ryan’s men have won every championship game so far this season, so momentum is there.

The winner will face either Sligo club Easkey or Donegal’s Burt in the All-Ireland final on the weekend of January 10th–11th in Croke Park.