Edenderry look set to advance while Rhode v Clara is hard to call

The senior football semi-finals take place this weekend in Offaly, and a Rhode v Edenderry county final is the most likely outcome if Paddy Power bookmakers are to be believed, since they make the two bordering clubs a little under 11/8 to do the double on Sunday afternoon. Taking the first match first, Edenderry at 4/7 do look like a well priced favourite. They started this season poorly with a loss to Erin Rovers, but since then they've gone from strength to strength and they lost nothing in their one defeat (against Rhode) in five games in the group stages. Their midfield partnership of Derek Kelly and Richie Dalton are working extremely well together, and if Dalton can spoil Niall Smith's ability to field the majority of the Gracefield kick-outs, he'll have neutralised one of Gracefield's main weapons. A tough physical battle would suit Gracefield, but in O'Connor Park, Edenderry should be able to use the full width of the pitch and capitalise on their greater pace and movement. Rhode are 2/5 to get past Clara in the third crucial knockout battle in three years between these great rivals, and it's a tricky game to assess between two clubs where neither side is really on form. Clara have been very poor throughout this year and could easily have run into trouble against Erin Rovers, while the consistent brilliance of Niall McNamee is masking the fact that the rest of the Rhode team aren't on top of their game either. With Scott Brady back and Graham Guilfoyle a bit more settled, Clara are dangerous here, and Rhode won't need to be told of the potential that lurks within the Clara attack. The odds look accurate on the basis that Niall McNamee is the one surefire performer. Elsewhere around the midlands, Raharney look like they're coming back into form at the right time and will prove popular in multiple bets at 1/3 to overcome a decent, but unspectacular, Castletown Geoghegan side, Meanwhile, the Kildare semi-finals see Stephen Darby's Carbury team taking on Celbridge, managed by former Meath footballer Colm Coyle, and Athy taking on St. Laurence's. St Laurence's in Kildare will have an edge in experience against a youthful and talented Athy side and could represent the best betting option out of the four clubs in action. Athy are the slightest of favourites with Paddy Powers, priced at 10/11 at the time of writing, however St Laurence's were good enough to take this title only a few seasons ago and while Athy's ability to play football is not in question, a lot is being read into their most recent result, a quarter-final win over Sarsfields. The weight of expectancy is on Athy shoulders now and it's far from certain that they'll be able to bear that weight with a lot of very young players and with the added spice of local rivalry, the smart play could be to stick with the Larries. TOP TIPS *St Laurence's to beat Athy (11/10). *Edenderry to beat Gracefield (4/7). *Rhode and Clara to draw (7/1).