Allianz Hurling League - Weekend Previews

SATURDAY
Division One A
Cork v Clare, Páirc Uí Rinn, 7.0 – Disappointing start to the league for both teams but there's a bit more urgency to Cork's situation, as this will be their second home match and Jimmy Barry-Murphy is playing with more or less a full deck. Clare have injuries and lost last week's cliff-hanger to an under-strength Galway.

Cork restore Aidan Walsh to centrefield where he cleaned up against Clare last summer and will be more carefully marked this evening. Christopher Joyce continues at full back but the trial takes him away from probably his best position in the half backs.

Clare need to progress individual and collective form back in the direction of two years ago but Cork need the points. Their backlash should be stronger.

Division One B
Waterford v Laois, Fraher Field, 7.0 – A good start for Derek McGrath's renewal project, as Waterford had a fine comeback score to take a draw from Limerick. Laois disappointed by losing at home to Offaly when favoured to win. Séamus Plunkett is trying to get his team beyond the caution of playing with a sweeper but despite the commendable commitment of that approach this is a difficult division. Home win.

Division Two A
London v Carlow, Ruislip, 1.0 – Good start by Carlow and a bad one by London. These trends to harden.

SUNDAY Matches at 2.0 unless stated

Division One A
Kilkenny v Dublin, Nowlan Park – The two most pleased counties from the opening weekend meet in what will be an excellent stress test of Dublin's impressive form in Ger Cunningham's first match. Kilkenny however rarely fail to turn up for league matches in the manner Tipperary did in Parnell Park last week.

The All-Ireland champions were more emphatic winners than the two-point margin in Cork suggested despite the injury to Conor Fogarty. Richie Hogan was on song and Dublin will have to shackle him a bit more efficiently than they managed with John O’Dwyer.

The Liam Rushe at full forward trial may gather some valuable data if the match-up is as expected with Paul Murphy.

No county has burst Dublin’s championship bubbles as remorselessly as Kilkenny and this will be another challenge but the teams have tended to be better matched in the league. Even so, Kilkenny would have to be taken to make home advantage pay.

Tipperary v Galway, Semple Stadium – Galway have had two fine outings, clipping Dublin in the Walsh Cup final and Clare last week. Tipperary have home advantage and a greater sense of urgency after the embarrassing defeat to Dublin, they should be able to raise their game sufficiently to exploit Galway's missing first choices.

Division One B
Offaly v Wexford, O'Connor Park – With home advantage and momentum, Brian Whelahan's team will be formidable but Wexford should cope.

Antrim v Limerick, Ballycastle –- Away trips to Antrim are always tricky and Ballycastle more so than Belfast. This promises to make Limerick's task all the more difficult but with James Ryan and Shane Dowling back, the visitors can survive.

Division Two A –  Wicklow v Kerry, Arklow, 1.0; Derry v Westmeath, Owenbeg.
Division Two B –  Kildare v Down, Newbridge; Mayo v Meath, MacHale Park; Armagh v Donegal, Athletic Grounds.
Division Three A – Louth v Fermanagh, Darver; Monaghan v Roscommon; Castleblayney; Fingal v Tyrone, Swords.