All-Ireland hurling semi-final: In a pride of lions the younger, more potent male eventually ousts the dominant one. In some cases two males come along at the same time to divide the spoils.

Actually, this occurs in every walk of life, especially sport. Especially hurling.

The expectation going into this weekend's first instalment of the All-Ireland hurling semi-finals is a third successive Cork versus Kilkenny final will be the end result.

Clare were once kings of the jungle and they are now first up to try to somehow prevent a predictable final pairing.

They had two choices when the first swipe of a paw drew blood a couple of seasons back, when they realised their mortality: to fight a fight that cannot be won or disappear into the wilderness to die alone with just memories of glory years for comfort.

Clare's heroes from the previous decade choose to die alongside their hurleys. They have been stubbornly resisting the inevitable march of time since but this Sunday they are back in an All-Ireland semi-final for what is surely the final act.

"They have been saying that about them since we beat them in 2002," said Waterford hurling manager, and Cork man, Justin McCarthy, "and we thought that when we beat them that year (but they made the All-Ireland final).

"Last year they went back a few steps but here they come again. Their form was good during the league until they met Kilkenny in the final and Tipperary were just smarter than them in the Munster championship."

They completed the mixed bag with wins over Waterford and Wexford to set up a crack at Cork. Still, McCarthy struggles to see any way for them to progress further.

"Clare can upset them by forcing the game but Cork can take this. It would be a major surprise and I can only see it happening if Cork fail to respond to the challenge.

"This could conceivably happen but the players have too much experience of this stage of the competition in recent times. Clare need at least two goals to stand any chance of winning."

The romantic version of this final fling on the main stage would see the Lohan brothers and Seánie McMahon produce such inspirational displays that it brings something out of the younger brigade among them. Again, McCarthy cannot see this materialising on current form.

"The Waterford game was a harder test for Cork than the Wexford game was for Clare. It is a better barometer of where they stand.

"Overall, Cork players didn't perform to the levels expected against Waterford but I expect the work-rate to improve. The half forwards were poor but they were held well by Waterford's half backs, who are better than Clare's. Also, don't forget the half forwards did perform against Kilkenny last year so they can improve.

"Clare are not out of the picture yet but Cork have too much class and experience. They will have to play smart to beat the more physical Clare men, something they are yet to experience, but intelligent hurling and tradition should get them through."

McCarthy even dismisses Clare's victory over his Waterford in the final qualifier due to the home advantage factor Anthony Daly's men enjoyed. "It was a tight pitch down in Ennis, it lacked the championship atmosphere so it was hard to judge and it was a home venue.

"People may also think a wet day would suit Clare but I think it would actually be an advantage to Cork as better hurlers contest better in tricky conditions.

"Considering it may be their final fling they will not be lacking any commitment but Cork can get a score out of nothing and one score usually leads to three scores. That's the secret of this team, they have the confidence to get these scores to progress. Clare forwards don't steal scores."