The hurling games this weekend...

Today

NHL Division Two

Westmeath v Kildare, Mullingar, 2.30pm – Kildare were decent in the midweek match in Laois and are actually ahead of the hosts, but Westmeath should get their first points.

Tomorrow (all 2.30pm unless stated)

NHL Division One

Cork v Kilkenny, Páirc Uí Chaoimh – The great struggles of the last decade are no longer the prompt here. Last season’s humiliation of Cork by the All-Ireland champions was as pointed as a skewer.

Kilkenny are taking a more relaxed view of this season’s league although their experimental team went close enough in Thurles and featured a good display by newcomer John Mulhall.

Cork have had a proper pre-season and some good results, but the question of how good the newcomers – ie how many are likely to figure in the summer – are and how much more can be extracted from the more experienced cadre will be more fully explored tomorrow against a stronger Kilkenny line-up than went to Thurles.

The Newtownshandrum players are back and Ben O’Connor and Cathal Naughton start.

An improved, battling performance is likely from the home side, but Kilkenny are unlikely to drop points two weeks running.

Offaly v Dublin, Tullamore – A significant match even if Limerick’s relegation was effectively sealed during the week. If Dublin win they are safe barring events on a par with the Bermuda Triangle.

Anthony Daly’s side could have done without Ronan Fallon getting injured, as the home team have been perky enough so far even if their first two opponents have been steep challenges. But all serious hurling teams have to be able to beat the opponents they should beat and that applies to tomorrow.

Tipperary v Galway, Thurles – Galway have got off to a good start, allowing for the fact that they have played their discard fixture against Limerick. The display in defeating Waterford was confident and with NUIG’s Fitzgibbon win, morale in the county is good.

Liam Sheedy’s team lived on their nerves last week in that they had to go out for the win against a weakened Kilkenny, but they held on for the points.

Defence was superb, but the old half-forward problem resurfaced, admittedly against a fine display by Kilkenny’s half backs. Eoin Kelly is enjoying his best spring form for a few years and, overall, the home side should rack up a second win.

Waterford v Limerick, Fraher Field – Waterford were brought to earth with a bump in Galway whereas Limerick were again game, but out-gunned against Cork. Things won’t get any better here, despite James O’Brien going straight in at centre forward.

NHL Division Two

Antrim v Laois, Casement Park – Laois weren’t impressive beating Kildare and will do well to get something out of a difficult venue.

Clare v Wexford, Cusack Park – The big match in the division.

Both are on full points and, even if the big clash comes at the end of the competition, the points here will give the winners a degree of comfort in getting that far.

Clare deserve to be favourites on the basis of what we’ve seen to date against a Wexford side under-strength through injury.

Down v Carlow, Ballygalget – Carlow should keep the Ards side rooted to the bottom of the table.

NHL Division Three A

Armagh v London, Crossmaglen, 12.45; Kerry v Meath, Tralee; Mayo v Derry, Castlebar.

NHL Division Three B

Fingal v Donegal, Swords; Louth v Roscommon, Dowdallshill; Wicklow v Sligo, Arklow.

NHL Division Fou r

Fermanagh v Cavan, Maguires- bridge, 12.45; Leitrim v South Down, Carrick-on-Shannon; Monaghan v Longford, Inniskeen.