Reigning champions Rathgormack face a stern test of their title defence when they take on Gaultier in the JJ Kavanagh & Sons Senior Football Championship semi-final this Sunday.

Throw-in at Azzurri Walsh Park is at 2 pm, with both sides aiming to secure their place in next weekend’s county final.

Gaultier booked their semi-final spot with a 10-points-to-five victory over Stradbally in difficult conditions at Fraher Field last weekend. Manager Seamie Cullinane admitted the game was a slog but was pleased his side came through a challenging test.

Cullinane confirmed that most of his panel had recovered well, with Tom Dalton training fully during the week. Sean Byrne is a doubt after suffering an ankle injury in the first half against Stradbally.

Gaultier have been knocking on the door of senior football success in recent seasons, but they now face the reigning champions in a major test of their credentials.

Cullinane acknowledged the quality within the Rathgormack side but insisted his players would not be overawed by the challenge.

He said Gaultier had learned from their hard-fought quarter-final victory and believed the team had players capable of taking the game to the champions.

The Gaultier manager also highlighted the commitment of his panel, including players who feature in hurling with Passage and Ballygunner. He said the group had fully committed to the football championship and were united in their ambition to succeed with Gaultier.

The club is enjoying a strong period across its sporting teams, following recent county titles for the ladies’ footballers and camogie side. Gaultier’s minor girls also recorded a football victory during the week, adding to the positive atmosphere around the club.

Rathgormack manager Kenny Hassett expects a fiercely contested semi-final, despite his side’s strong run of results this season.

Hassett said the champions had faced difficult tests along the way and rejected suggestions that their progress had been comfortable. He acknowledged Gaultier’s quality and pointed to their strong second-half performance against Kilrossanty as evidence of the threat they pose.

Hassett expects both teams to give everything in pursuit of a place in the final, with neither side looking beyond Sunday’s contest to the possibility of Munster football.

The second semi-final takes place on Sunday evening, when Abbeyside-Ballinacourty meet The Nire at Fraher Field in Dungarvan, with throw-in at 6 pm.