NHL Division 1A
Waterford v Cork
It’s an all-Munster affair this weekend as Waterford and Cork clash in the Allianz NHL, throw in at 2.30pm.
Waterford are without John Mullane for their clash with the Rebels; Shane McGrath has come in at right corner forward to replace him. It's unlikely to upset the Deise, who have gotten off to a pretty slick start, putting Wexford to the sword in emphatic style.
Moreover, Waterford have form against Cork in the league, having beaten them in the last two clashes.
With both sides getting off to victorious starts, this game will be a perfect chance for them to take a hold on the division early on.
Cork are experimenting with Diarmuid O'Sullivan at full-forward, but they too have started strongly and three changes to the side that hammered Offaly shouldn't derail that momentum.
This game should be one of the best of the weekend, and expect the Rebels to come through it. But only just.
Verdict: Cork
Offaly v Down
It’s a crucial game for both sides in Birr as opening round losers Offaly and Down clash in the Allianz NHL, throw in at 2.30pm.
Offaly were soundly thrashed by Cork in their opening clash, but they should not be too down about the result; it's a young Faithful side and they put up a fight for most of the game.
Moreover, Offaly boss John McIntyre is persisting with a policy of blooding youths and has been preparing the hurling fans for some rough days. Nonetheless, this trip to Down should provide a morale-boosting win, as the Mournemen were given an even worse beating at the hands of Clare last week.
Expect the young hurlers of Offaly to make it through this test and pick up two much needed points.
Verdict: Offaly
Clare v Wexford
It’s the clash of the fragile psyche in Cusack Park as Clare and Wexford go head to head in the Allianz NHL, throw in at 2.30pm.
The Banner is continuing to unravel, it seems. Selector Ger Ward is the latest departure in the wake of the row between manager Tony Considine and 'keeper Davy Fitzgerald. Meanwhile, Tony Griffin will miss the League and the Championship as he attempts to cycle across North America to raise funds for cancer research.
Still, Clare opened their NHL account with a win (in fact, it was a whopping 3-25 to 1-13 win over Down) so it's possible that the reports of the impact of the row have been greatly exaggerated, at least in terms of the players’ resolve.
Wexford should provide a stiffer test than Down. Even so, the Leinster men have not had a great start to 2007: they were beaten by Waterford in their opening NHL match; they lost the Walsh Cup final to Kilkenny during the week; and they recently got the news that Diarmuid Lyng will not be fit for the trip to Clare. He's an unwanted addition to an already long injury list that includes Declan Ruth, Darren Stamp, Paul Carley, Willie Doran and Kevin Cavanagh.
John Meyler is focusing on the positives but it seems that the Clare camp is not quite so chaotic as the Wexford one.
Verdict: Clare
NHL Division 1B
Kilkenny v Tipperary
The meeting of Kilkenny and Tipperary sees two sides in search of redemption at Nowlan Park on Sunday following opening weekend upsets, throw-in at 2.30pm.
Tipp were caught out by Limerick and now need to defeat Kilkenny in the NHL for the first time since 2003 to avoid being dragged into a relegation dogfight. Manager Babs Keating has reacted by ringing the changes - six in all - before settling on a side that will try to skin the Cats.
Those drafted in smack of experience: Paul Curran, Declan Fanning, Conor O’Mahony, Benny Dunne, Francis Devanney and John Carroll. Clearly Babs means business now and will be hoping that the side will be out to avenge Toomevara’s collapse to Ballyhale in the AIB Club SHC semi-final.
Kilkenny are still without the Ballyhale contingent, something that clearly affected them in their draw against Dublin. They bounced back by winning the Walsh Cup by defeating Wexford last weekend and manager Brian Cody is sure to have his troops focused on the task ahead.
The Noresiders need Eoin Larkin and Eddie Brennan on-song again. If they are, even the returning individuals on the Premier team will not be enough to put a smile on Babs’ face.
Verdict: Kilkenny.
Limerick v Galway
Limerick look to boost their chances of reaching the knockout stages of the NHL when they take on Galway at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday, throw-in at 2.30pm.
They upset Tipperary on the opening weekend and the repositioning of Ollie Moran in the forwards has clearly paid off. The big man from Ahane is a more robust target man than Brian Begley – who seems to struggle to impose himself on the opposition.
Moran may prove the missing link in the Limerick forwards, especially when the returning Peter Lawlor is a ready-made replacement for him at wing-back. Andrew O’Shaughnessy can reap the benefits of Moran’s new assignment.
The mood in the Galway camp will have been done no favours by the fact that the absent Joe Canning chalked up 2-08 for LIT in the Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final against UCD on Tuesday. Eugene Cloonan did provide the firepower against Antrim but the Shannonsiders will have him tightly marshalled.
Ger Loughnane could be left wondering what life would be like if he had looked south, instead of north, in his bid to revive a sleeping giant.
Verdict: Limerick.
Antrim v Dublin
Two sides looking to avoid the messy nature of another relegation battle square up to each other when Dublin and Antrim take to the pitch this Sunday, throw-in at 2.30pm.
Dublin could never have predicted the start they’ve had to the league, and should they put in a similar performance they could find themselves adding to their draw with a win over an Antrim side that completely capitulated against Galway.
For Dublin, Liam Ryan will replace the injured Keith Dunne, but otherwise it’s as-you-were.
Meanwhile, every time Antrim have taken a step forward in recent years they have quickly followed it with two steps back. If they are to build their confidence and give themselves a decent chance of survival in the Liam McCarthy Cup this summer then they have to start this Sunday.
The heart goes with Dublin, but Antrim will probably have taken a lesson from the defeat to Galway and should close out the Dubs.
Verdict: Antrim.
Barry Whyte
