Today NHL Division One Tipperary v Waterford,Semple Stadium 7.30pm – The All-Ireland champions are already at the stage in the season where new manager Declan Ryan would like to see them locate something of last year's form.
Brendan Cummins and Noel McGrath return to the side, with John O’Keeffe also coming in at right half back and Pádraic Maher moving to midfield. Ryan continues to rotate his forwards, with this week’s full forward unit comprised of Paul Kelly, Brian O’Meara and Pa Bourke.
Tipp’s cause here is helped by the fact that Waterford are essentially operating without half of their regular panel – including John Mullane, Tony Browne, Kevin Moran and Eoin Kelly. Richie Foley retains the free taking duties in Kelly’s absence.Davy Fitzgerald will eye this as a key test for his under-strength team, but Tipperary are better placed to take the win.
Dr McKenna Cup final
Derry v Tyrone, Armagh Athletic Grounds, 7pm – The counties' contrasting league form re-adjusted itself last week and Derry have to pick themselves up after a big defeat by Laois whereas Tyrone got off the mark against Sligo and can take the opportunity to restore morale further.
NHL Division Two
Laois v Antrim,Portlaoise, 2pm – Last week's loss at home to Carlow leaves Laois in a precarious position as they play host to face one of the teams chasing promotion from a tough division.
Antrim are likely to be without Karl McKeegan and Michael Armstrong but must be smarting after their narrow loss to Clare after clawing their way back into the game. A crunch match for both teams: Antrim to edge it.
Down v Limerick,Portaferry 1.30pm – Donal O'Grady has advertised the fact that he will be treating this visit to Down with extreme caution. But it gives Limerick a good chance to confirm their position as the standard bearers of the division and O'Grady the opportunity to liberally change his side. Gavin O'Mahony replaces Stephen Lucey at full back and Brian Geary comes in to centre half back. Brian Murray starts in goal instead of Nicky Quaid in a team which includes seven changes.
Down’s form has been impressive but their firepower is diminished as Paul Braniff and attacking wing back Ben Toner remain unavailable with injury.
Sunday
NHL Division One
Offaly v Dublin,Tullamore, 2.30pm – Conscious of the exposure that comes with setting such fine early season form, Anthony Daly has been quick to recall a painful afternoon against Offaly in last year's league. But Dublin have built an impressive momentum and, buoyed by their Walsh Cup win over Kilkenny and the anticipated return of Simon Lambert, Joey Boland and Conal Keaney for this encounter, they will travel to the midlands in confidence.
Last year’s crash against Offaly followed hot on their memorable nine-point win over Tipperary so they will regard this as a test of their ability to keep delivering results.
Offaly will target this match and are expected to have Rory Hanniffy and Conor Mahon returning from injury.
Nonetheless, their form was not encouraging against Galway and it will take a stark reversal of form if they are to halt Dublin’s gallop.
Kilkenny v Wexford,Nowlan Park, 2.30pm – Bad news for Wexford to be heading to Kilkenny in their current form and worst that the Cats are miffed at last week's eye-opening Walsh Cup defeat to Dublin.
Michael Jacob returns to midfield where he will re-establish his club axis partnership with Brian Redmond and Eanna Martin comes into the full forward line instead of Rory Jacob.
PJ Ryan, Noel Hickey and Eoin Larkin all make their first league appearances of the year for Kilkenny, while TJ Reid, Paul Murphy and John Dalton are included in the starting 15.
A result might be beyond Wexford here, but it is imperative that they avoid a repeat of the collapse they suffered in Pearse Stadium.
Cork v Galway, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2.30pm – If there is any prevailing theme to the first weeks of the hurling season, it has to be the injury crisis that appears to be blighting most counties.
Galway is no exception and John McIntyre has already ruled Ger Mahon out for the remainder of the league, while Joe Canning, Damien Joyce, Fergal Moore, Tony Og Regan, Aidan Harte and Niall Donohue are considered unlikely to be deemed fit for this demanding visit to Cork.
Donal Óg Cusack returns to the Cork team while Ray Ryan comes into the half back line. Luke Farrell has been named at full forward.
With Iarla Tannian in terrific form and Ger Farragher as accomplished as ever on free-taking duties, Galway will present a strong challenge and are a decent bet to extend their league hoodoo on Cork.
NHL Division Two
Carlow v Kerry, Cullen Park, 2.30pm – Kerry posted 2-23 in a significant win over South Down and John Meyler has since targeted this match as vital in terms of Kerry's chances of retaining its status in the division.
Carlow will have plenty of motivation of their own, having recorded an impressive win against Laois. Manager Kevin Ryan has made one change, with Shane Kavanagh coming in at full back. Home advantage may edge it Carlow’s way.
Westmeath v Clare,Mullingar, 2.30pm – Nerve-wracking days for Clare – easily pushed aside by Limerick and leaving it until injury-time before securing the points against Antrim, they now face a visit to a feisty Westmeath side. Conro McGrath is definitely out and James McInerney, excellent against Limerick, is doubtful.
Kevin Martin will view this match as a brilliant chance to make a statement about Westmeath hurling.
The big worry for Clare is that they can drift through long periods without a score. Still, it will be a major shock if they fail to win here.
All-Ireland Club Senior Camogie Final
Inniscarra (Cork) v Killimor (Galway),Croke Park, 3pm – Rena Buckley is chasing the one All-Ireland medal missing from her collection and, judging by the performances of Buckley, Niamh McCarthy and Niamh Dilworth in the semi-final win over ODonovan Rossa, the Muskerry crew have many of the tools necessary to claim the honours.
Killimor defeated Oulart-The- Ballagh, 0-10 to 0-9, in their semi-final andthere is no doubt that, with the likes of Brenda Hanney, sharpshooter Martina Conroy and Eimear Haverty in their ranks, playing at headquarters will suit them and this could be their year.
All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Final
Eoghan Rua (Derry) v The Harps (Laois),Croke Park, 1pm – The Harps are in their first year at intermediate level, having dominated the junior ranks in recent years, winning three All-Irelands in a row from 2006-2008. The challenge has clearly re-invigorated them and with Elaine Cuddy, Elaine Mahony and Aisling Phelan prominent on their way to the final.Rosanna McAleese and Grace McMullan were the goal-scorers for the Coleraine outfit in their win against Lismore, but it is the McGoldrick sisters, Méabh and Gráinne, who make them tick.
The Harps have the experience of playing at All-Ireland level, however, and the wider expanses of Croke Park might just suit them better.
