It's a key weekend and there are no fixtures bigger than All-Ireland champions Limerick welcoming Cork to the Gaelic Grounds.
Limerick have made seven changes to the team that were defeated by Waterford in the last round. Some of those are forced with Seamus Flanagan and Kyle Hayes suspended after being sent off against Waterford.
Diarmaid Byrnes returns after serving out his one-match suspension.
However, some of the changes would suggest that Limerick want to give a feeling of 'nothing to be lost’ either, in advance of the dress rehearsal of the championship clash between these two team in couple of weeks’ time.
All-Star Nicky Quaid isn’t included in the squad, Barry Hennessy takes his place between the sticks and teenager Colin Coughlan is making his National League debut in defence for Limerick.
Cork come into the game with plenty of positives that they’ll want to build on. They’ve shown a good mix already this season and while you can’t read too much in the league, they displayed a real ruthless streak against Westmeath the last day out, building on solid performances against Waterford and Tipp.
Limerick having gone through two seasons unbeaten in the league and championship, haven’t won any of their games this season. It’s strange territory for them.
The headlines may suggest otherwise but looking through the Limerick team, it’s still full of talent, and I still expect them to lay down a marker against Cork, even without some of their bigger names.
Antrim and Wexford looks enticing. Antrim have already seen off Clare in Corrigan Park, it’s going to be a tight and tough game, but you’d have to say Wexford and I do expect a reaction from them.
Dublin are looking short of inspiration and fresh faces at the moment while Clare sound as if they’re short of all sorts of things.
Whichever team loses this isn’t going to feel good about themselves for quite a while but I get the feeling that Clare need a result more.
Galway take on Waterford on Sunday. Galway looked to be going really well until the last day out but got a bit of a head check against Tipp, but I still believe that they are the number one contender for Limerick’s crown.
Waterford looked a bit more like the side we expected them to be last time out, but having said that Limerick were shorthanded for most of the game. Having said that, I’d shade it for Galway.
Elsewhere, it’s Kilkenny against Laois and Westmeath against Tipp, and those two games I’d nearly put them in the one bracket.
Kilkenny look in good form while Laois don’t.
Westmeath conceded seven goals the last day out against Cork and Tipp have been criticised lately for their lack of scoring goals, this should change at the weekend, unfortunately for Westmeath.
Dónal Óg Cusack was speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
