Allianz NFL Division 1A
Fermanagh v Limerick
Despite the relatively early stage in the NFL, this is a crucial game for both Fermanagh and Limerick, with throw in at 2pm in Clones (refixed from the first week of the league, after the original fixture was ruled out due to fog at the venue).
Limerick performed well against Dublin but Mickey Ned O'Sullivan has made four changes to that side, as Diarmuid Carroll, Mike Jones, Mike Crowley and Jason O'Brien are out, replaced by Sean Kiely, Andrew Lane, Gareth Noonan and Timmy Carroll. Despite the defeat, the Treatymen will be on a high as they go into this match.
Fermanagh put in a similarly strong, if ultimately unsuccessful, performance against Tyrone, and both counties currently languish pointless at the bottom of the table: if one of them loses this game it will make it difficult to avoid the drop to Division 3.
Home advantage may not be enough for Fermanagh to resist the wave of good feeling sweeping through the ranks of Mickey Ned O'Sullivan's troops.
Verdict: Limerick
Allianz NHL Division 1A
Down v Clare
Down and Clare open their National Hurling League Division 1A campaign in Portaferry on Sunday, with throw in at 2.30pm.
A row between hurling boss Tony Considine and 'keeper Davy Fitzgerald, which resisted even the peacemaking efforts of RTÉ Sport's own Marty Morrissey, has claimed another victim, with trainer Dave Mahedy leaving the camp.
Clare's ability to recover from this pretty awkward row will have a major impact on how they open their NHL campaign. Meanwhile, Frank Lohan is the new captain, taking over from the old warhorse Seanie McMahon, while Brian Shalley and Cathal Lafferty have also left the squad.
Despite all the upheaval, Clare should be in good enough shape to deal with a Down side that didn't set the world on fire prior to the league's opening.
Verdict: Clare
Wexford v Waterford
The issue of old and experienced versus young and fresh will be addressed on Sunday when Justin McCarthy's Waterford take on John Meyler's Wexford, throw-in at 2.30pm in Wexford Park.
Meyler has got a good early season return from his charges, particularly Robbie Codd. Richie Kehoe has taken over from Darragh Ryan in front of the Wexford goal and Keith Rossiter is leading the defence from centre back.
Though it's been said for the last few winters, this year really heralds the start of the last season for this Waterford side. If they fail, once again, then there's little chance that a few of the haggard bones in the panel will be convinced to go to war again.
It will be interesting to see what the repercussions of Eoin Kelly's drawn-out transfer saga will have for the side. He was in indifferent form last season and will be counted on to inspire the side in 2007.
Whatever lies ahead for Waterford it looks like they could be ripe for an ambush in the Model capital this weekend. The young heads will be eager to make an early mark.
Verdict: Wexford (just)
Cork v Offaly
Cork take on Offaly at 2.30pm on Sunday in a clash between two sides that have failed to ignite the NHL in recent seasons.
When not actually being relegated, the Faithful side have flirted with relegation and their fortunes this year will depend, as they did last year, on the form of Joe Bergin in attack. He is among the elite in the country but is sometimes let down by his supporting cast.
Offaly manager John McIntyre has surely been casting an envious eye towards Cork's performance in the early season competitions. Despite rumblings of discontent under the new regime of Gerald McCarthy, the squad – which has been without many seasoned regulars – has shown fine form. The real depth of those reported misgivings will be reflected in their willingness to stick to any new game plan on Sunday.
The Rebels should take two points from the clash, but not by a margin of more than four or five points.
Verdict: Cork
Allianz NHL Division 1B
Dublin v Kilkenny
Dublin and Kilkenny clash in NHL Division 1B in Parnell Park on Sunday, with throw in at 2.30pm.
Sometimes there's not an awful lot to say in advance of a match, other than bland platitudes. Of course, this preview could weigh up the progress of Dublin hurling over the last few years, or the likelihood that a ring-rusty Kilkenny could slip up in the first tie of the league, and reams of evidence could be provided to back these assertions up.
But, in reality, it would be a waste of time, and an attempt to hide from the obvious. No offence to Kilkenny, but we'd all like to see them beaten on Sunday: and, equally, no offence to Dublin, but it's just not going to happen.
And when GAA President Nickey Brennan claimed there weren't too many tasty ties in the opening round, well, he was probably talking about his own county's opener.
Consider the following statistics: Kilkenny have won five of the last six NHL titles; they're talking about a three-in-a-row for this year; and they're 4/1 to do it. Dublin are 6/4 to win a game in the league (note, that's win a game, not win the league).
Editors, get your feline-related headlines ready for Sunday. Sorry Dublin.
Verdict: Kilkenny
Tipperary v Limerick
With the (possible) exception of Waterford v Cork, the most played-out rivalry of recent years will be renewed at Thurles on Sunday, throw-in at 2.30pm, when Tipperary host Limerick in the opening round of NHL Division 1B.
Limerick appear to hold the upper hand on this occasion as the Premier side are unlikely to be able to call on the services of the Toomervara men that were pipped by Ballyhale in the All-Ireland Club semi-final last weekend.
Limerick will, no doubt, focus much of their attention on preventing Eoin Kelly from destroying their defence in the same way that he did last June. However, he is now accompanied in the attack by his older brother, Paul. The elder Kelly may not be as prolific but he has potential to drive on his fellow forwards and give any defender a torrid time.
There doesn't appear to be a similar threat on the Shannonside panel, for all the talk of the potential of Andrew O'Shaughnessy, and unless they have unearthed a new star over the winter then they could be in for a hiding on Sunday.
Verdict: Tipperary
Galway v Antrim
While the talk on the terraces will be of those absent from on-field proceedings, Galway will hope to get the era of Ger Loughnane under way with a win against Antrim on Sunday.
The retirement of Ollie Canning and the absence of his younger brother Joe has provided an unwanted distraction to Loughnane's preparations. Loughane did manage to get some new blood out on the field by fielding a development squad for the Connacht League, but they would have preferred a higher profile clash for the opening round.
Antrim will fancy their chances of causing an upset. They can prove a difficult opponent this early in the year and if they get off to a decent start they will go from strength to strength.
There has been little talk of the physical nature of the training that Loughnane has been putting his squad through. If it has been anything like the preseason camps that he, along with coach Stephen MacNamara, used to inflict on his Clare troops, then the Saffrons should be able to stay in touch until the final whistle.
Verdict: Galway
Barry Whyte
