National Hurling League: Semi-final previews

Sunday Division One semi-finals Kilkenny v Wexford, Semple Stadium, 2.30: The Leinster counties' relationship isn't really at the stage where psychological points are too easily scored.

Even if Wexford lose emphatically, it's not likely to have much effect on their championship odds going into the summer.

But manager John Meyler remains positive and is confident his team's momentum after defeating Galway won't be jeopardised in any way. On the plus side it's a great opportunity for Wexford to measure up against the prevailing standard in hurling and test their revival.

There was an impressive calm about their display last week and the diligent way they kept the scoreboard turning to prevent Galway getting on a scoring streak meant that it was Meyler's team who had the more solid platform to attack the match when it was there to be won.

Meyler has so far successfully experimented with a number of central positions and tomorrow's match will provide useful information on the long-term prospects. Darren Stamp, imported from the half backs and centrefield, gave the attack a physical focus - as Meyler put it, the ability to make a nuisance of himself even when he doesn't win the ball. The switch with the established Eoin Quigley at centre forward provided a productive variation.

Diarmuid Lyng gave a display at centrefield of such ebullience that it was hard to imagine he hadn't been hurling there for all of his intercounty career. In defence the swapping of Declan Ruth and Keith Rossiter to full back and centre back respectively proved a resounding success but here as in all cases, there's still some test-driving ahead.

Kilkenny pulled out of the early-season wobble but are still without Henry Shefflin, away on honeymoon, and accordingly still in experimental mode. But there's enough supplementary talent to push the holders on to the final at the end of the month.

Cork v Waterford, Semple Stadium, 4.15

The intrigue in the second semi-final featuring familiar championship foes lies in the limited ambitions the counties normally bring to bear on the league and the glorious weather, which means Thurles should be staging a reasonable approximation of summer combat. In recent years Cork tended to satisfy themselves with as extended a run as they could manage without actually troubling the play-off stages.

The last time the county featured at the serious end of the league was the year of the deluge, 2002, the only redeeming feature of which was that it went on to mark a new beginning - but not until after much trauma had shot through Cork hurling. This year is also a staging post, the first management after the All-Ireland successes of 2004 and '05. Despite the discontented rumblings that have accompanied Gerald McCarthy's first year back in charge, the team qualified automatically, if not entirely convincingly, for the semi-finals. McCarthy and the players are said to have cleared the air recently and restored equilibrium.

McCarthy's task has been to freshen up the team but it hasn't been easy. Most of the interesting trials concern players from county champions Erin's Own. Kieran Murphy is at wing back as he tries to pin down a permanent position. His brother Eoghan also gets a chance to transfer his prodigious scoring to the county scene.

The versatile Cian O'Connor is at corner back, where resources are now scarce after Wayne Sherlock's departure. Much depends on how Waterford view this. The team is well suited by Thurles in late spring. Last week's curious surrender of the initiative to Tipperary nearly squandered a comfortable position until the late intervention of Shane Walsh, who is rewarded with a starting place.

Hard to call but the suspicion is that Waterford will want to win this and that being the case they certainly have the capability.

Under-21 FC and Football League: Previews

By Gavin Cummiskey

Saturday

Leinster Under-21 FC final

Laois v Offaly, Portlaoise, 6.30

The reversal of Brendan Quigley's red card should guarantee a clean supply of possession from midfield for the Laois forwards. As a result, the defending champions' superior reservoir of scoring talent should see them edge this contest.

Ulster Under-21 FC final

Armagh v Monaghan, Omagh, 3.30

Despite the absence of injured Crossmaglen forward Tony Kernan, the third son of Joe, Armagh proved with victories over Tyrone and Derry that they possess the quality to prevail. However, a lot depends on the fitness of their talisman Kevin Dyas.

Sunday

National Hurling League

Play-off for Division One status

Offaly v Limerick, Nenagh, 12.30

This can be a fickle game. At this stage 12 months back Limerick were being heralded as a team capable of upsetting the status quo. Now they are 70 minutes from a disastrous drop into hurling's nether regions. Offaly have already suffered from such an experience. Gary Hanniffy's loss may prove crucial. Limerick to survive.

National Football League

Division Two A - Round seven

Longford v Clare, Pearse Park, 3.30

Longford will be keen to atone for defeat to Carlow and, equally, putting Páidí Ó Sé's side to the sword would leave a possibility of progress to the semi-finals and with it another competitive outing in advance of the championship.

Leitrim v Monaghan, Cloone, 3.30

Monaghan are already through to a semi-final against Meath while Leitrim require a victory to set up a meeting with Cavan. On that premise Leitrim should be better motivated but that may not be enough to end Monaghan's perfect record.

Offaly v Roscommon, Tullamore, 3.30

An Offaly victory will open up a semi-final slot for themselves, Leitrim and Longford as the calculator comes out tomorrow evening. John Maughan's Roscommon can put all that to rest with a victory. Offaly to deny the visitors such a luxury.

London v Carlow, Ruislip, 3.30

A largely irrelevant fixture as neither team can avoid Division Four football next year. Carlow defeated Longford last time out. They should do enough to avoid defeat here.