Gavin O’Connor previews the Austin Stacks v Ballincollig Munster Club Championship semi-final at Austin Stack Park on Sunday (2pm)

THIS is a weird one for Stephen Stack and his band of champions to prepare for.

The celebrations and good vibes that spread across the town when Stacks won the county final would be enough to distract anyone from the next prize, which is now Munster Championship glory.

If they are to progress, first they will have to overcome Cork champions, Ballincollig. The club just outside Cork City are in a similar boat to the Rockies in the sense that they have been without county championship silverware also for 20 years, though that trophy was Intermediate.

Coming into this Munster semi-final, Austin Stacks can almost report a completely clean bill of health with only forward, Darragh O’Brien, an injury doubt for Sunday.

“The celebrations weren’t a distraction at all, very quickly I got the lads together on the Wednesday after the final to get them focussed for Ballincollig,” said Austin Stacks’ team manager, Stephen Stack.

“Our performance in the replay wasn’t perfect. We’ve analysed the game very closely ourselves and there are areas we can still improve on,” said Stack.

“As I said to the lads, they might get one opportunity at this in their career. Mentally we’re in a good place, but under no illusions about what we are going to face,” said Stack.

Stacks have a record-equalling 12 senior county titles, while Ballincollig picked up their very first one, three weeks ago against Carberry Rangers. Within their ranks are two well known faces who have worn the red of the Cork jersey.

The veteran, John Miskella, who was at one time one of the best half backs in the country – and was rewarded as such in 2009 when he won an all star – and Paddy Kelly who is a creative, industrious half-forward.  Both picked up Celtic crosses for Cork in 2010.

Kelly is in good form also. Last Sunday, at the Cork All Star awards, he was selected as the Cork club player of the year, one of nine Ballincollig men to pick up All Stars.

Just like Austin Stacks, Ballincollig have a never say die spirit. Twice in the Cork final, they fell behind by six points and clawed their way back into the game. On their way to to county honours, they also knocked out Tomas O’Se’s new club and Cork kingpins, Nemo Rangers.

Another factor both sides have in common  is a high winning average – Austin Stacks won their games in the county championship this year by an average of seven points, with Ballincollig it’s six.

Both sides are in similar head space coming into this match, which is quite possibly the most difficult to prepare for in the All-Ireland Club series. For Ballincollig the two weeks extra to prepare will stand to them, they also had two good looks at Austin Stacks in the county final and replay.

But one key component is in Stacks favour; in almost every game since his rejuvenation as a heavy-hitter this summer, Donaghy, has been a decisive player for both club and county.

On current form Donaghy is unmarkable and is a driving force in the side. Allied to that, Stacks have some other players in top form such as, Wayne Guthrie, Mikey Collins and Shane Carroll.

The home venue will play its part too and the fact that Kerry isn’t a happy hunting ground for Cork sides traditionally.

Verdict: Austin Stacks by 3