Barry Whyte takes a look ahead to this weekend's Allianz NHL Division One matches.
NHL Division 1A
Waterford v Offaly
Two teams with their fates already decided meet at Walsh Park on Sunday, throw-in at 3.30pm, when Waterford host Offaly.
Waterford have the most to fight for as a win will send them directly to the semi-finals, given their superior points difference. Dave Bennett returns to the side, along with Tom Feeney, and their experience should be enough to see the Deise side avoid a quarter-final.
John Mullane should also be included and his very presence should get the home crowd buzzing.
This could well be Offaly's last chance to test themselves seriously ahead of the summer. As ever the Faithful side will look to Joe Bergin to exploit any weakness to the Waterford defence.
Waterford should take the two points on offer but Offaly will make it as uncomfortable as possible for them.
Verdict: Waterford.
Wexford v Down
There is only one side with anything to play for when Wexford host Down at Wexford Park on Sunday, throw-in at 3.30pm.
The Model side are in with a great chance of making it to the knock out stages of the NHL for the first time since 1996. They need to put as much distance between themselves and the Mourne County side, while hoping that Clare and Cork do no finish up level in Ennis.
John Meyler's side were impressive in their fightback against Cork last Sunday and there now seems to be a strength in depth in the squad that has been absent for a few years. Rory Jacob should run up a good tally.
What can you say about Down? They always seem to capitulate at this time of year before rallying for the relegation play-offs to avoid the dreaded drop. This year it may be beyond them.
Wexford should run up their annual cricket score against the northern side.
Verdict: Wexford.
Clare v Cork
The clash of Clare and Cork in Ennis, throw-in at 1.30pm, should prove to be the game of the day with only the victor being guaranteed a sport in the quarter-finals.
Clare may live to regret their late concession of five unanswered points against Offaly, which earned the Faithful men a share of the points. The pressure will be on Clare as a relegation battle would see manager Tony Considine come under more pressure over the results he has delivered.
Gerry Quinn and Diarmuid McMahon could return from injury to help the Banner cause.
Cork gave a very professional performance against Wexford last weekend and held off a late comeback by the Model side. They never really stretched themselves and relied on Joe Deane and Cathal Naughton to get things going up front.
Sean Og O hAilpin returns to the side and should help Ronan Curran steady the ship at the back.
Clare's one hope may be to try and stretch Diarmuid O'Sullivan at the back. If they can get their forwards to pull him as far away from his goal as possible then they may just be in with a chance.
However, the reality is that Cork should keep things together to qualify for the knock out stages.
Verdict: Cork
NHL Division 1B
Limerick v Antrim
There is nothing to be gained but pride when Antrim visit Limerick on Sunday in Division 1B of the Allianz NHL, throw-in at 3.30pm.
The main competition will be to see who finishes on the bottom of the table, as both outfits are already destined to fight out the remainder of the NHL in the relegation play-offs.
Limerick are in dire need of an improvement as their performances over the campaign have slowly worsened. Brian Begley returns to the starting side and if he can put in a good performance then their supporters may take some heart before heading into the Munster SHC championship.
Antrim will be full of confidence having edged out Dublin in the mid-week fixture. However, things have not gone completely as planned for them this week as the skilful Liam Watson has been expelled from the panel.
Another good performance from Brian McFall should, at least, keep them in touch with the Shannonsiders.
Limerick heads will be down but they should have enough respect for themselves to ease past the Saffrons.
Verdict: Limerick
Kilkenny v Galway
The battle for automatic qualification to the semi-finals will be staged at Nowlan Park on Sunday, throw-in at 3.30pm.
Whoever emerges as victor will have one game less to worry about on their quest to take the first major honour on offer this year.
Both sides have been in indifferent form – Galway losing to Dublin and Kilkenny drawing with them – but have emerged from their shell recently.
Amid the joy in the camp of Galway's win over Tipperary last weekend more rumours of discontent have been heard. Ger Farragher is, allegedly, considering his position on the panel. They will need to brush aside Kilkenny to prove that, for once and for all, all is well under the regime of Ger Loughnane.
Kilkenny have been improving and, as ever, the new youngsters that Brian Cody has set loose on unsuspecting opposing sides have proved that they are well up to the task and eager to impress.
Galway have been weak defending their goal in the last few games and the Cats should be able to exploit that to progress to the semi-final.
Verdict: Kilkenny
Tipperary v Dublin
Dublin will be hoping that their brilliant start to the NHL is the sign of a more fundamental improvement in the county's hurling fortunes when they take on Tipperary at Thurles on Sunday, throw-in at 3.30pm.
Having lost to Antrim mid-week they now face the possibility that they could still be in the midst of a relegation battle. If they fail to win against Tipperary they will find themselves in the bottom three of the competition and firmly in the middle of the fight to avoid the dreaded drop.
And the likelihood is that will happen. They have no defender capable of stopping Eoin Kelly from running riot. Bren dan Cummins is also back between the posts and will present a much larger obstacle to the Dublin forwards than they have previously come up against.
Dublin's one hope will be to exploit the Tipp full-back line and hope to outlast the Premier County in the midfield battle.
The smart money says, though, that Metropolitans will be left licking their wounds on the bus back to Dublin.
Verdict: Tipperary
