By James McMahon
After a two-week break, action in hurling’s top flight resumes this weekend. In Division 1A, much focus will be on Clare’s game against Tipperary.
The Banner have nothing on the board so far and were very much second best the last day in their tussle with Cork. What will be the backlash from Davy Fitz’s side?
Ger Cunningham faces his native county on Saturday evening as Dublin do battle with Cork. The Dubs have been impressive so far and were full value for their win (their first in 51 years) against Kilkenny at Nowlan Park a fortnight ago.
The Rebels, after their somewhat laboured performance against the Cats in the opening round, found their groove in their subsequent clash with Clare.
Dublin v Cork evokes memories of their classic All-Ireland semi-final in 2013. Anything approaching that will do nicely as the dusk settles on Jones’ Road.
Elsewhere in 1A, Galway host Kilkenny at Pearse Stadium. Both sides suffered defeats the last day, with Brian Cody’s men perhaps a bit more deflated after their loss to Dublin.
In Division 1B, the meeting of Wexford and Limerick will have a huge bearing on who ultimately gets back to the top tier. The Yellowbellies are a point clear of their Munster rivals in the standings and know that a win on their home patch could remove TJ Ryan’s from the promotion equation.
Waterford are still very much in the mix for a return to 1A and travel to Tullamore to take on Offaly.
Despite losing to Wexford and Limerick, Antrim were far from disgraced and will look to get points on the board when they welcome Laois to Armoy.
DIVISION 1A
SATURDAY 7 MARCH
1700 Dublin v Cork, Croke Park (Live on Setanta)
SUNDAY 8 MARCH
1400 Clare v Tipperary, Cusack Park (Live on TG4)
1400 Galway v Kilkenny, Pearse Stadiun
Dubs to march on
"Dublin are going great guns and with the home backing can get the better of Cork," is Tom Dempsey's prediction as to how Saturday's encounter will finish up.
"Cork improved a lot in their victory over Clare but Dublin's work-ethic and drive has really impressed me. Whether they can keep it up, time will tell.
"The forecast is for favourable weather conditions at Croker on Saturday evening and I expect we'll see a game of good, fast hurling.
"A Dublin win will move them on to six points and ensure their place in the knock-out stages."
Banner must deliver
While not quite teetering on the brink, Clare know that a defeat against Tipperary will probably leave them facing a relegation play-off at the end of the month.
Dempsey expects a backlash from Davy Fitz’s men against the Premier County in Ennis.
"We all know that Clare have talented hurlers but they’ve yet to show it this spring. It’s hard to believe that they have not won a competitive match since last March (league quarter-final against Laois).
"Tipperary were woeful the first day out against Dublin, but improved in their win over Galway. In saying that, they didn’t overly impress and nearly allowed Galway back into match they had no right getting back into.
"There is a bitter rivalry between Clare and Tipp and Sunday’s game will be fiercely contested. I think Davy will be celebrating come Sunday evening."
Tribes out to tame the Cats
Games between Galway and Kilkenny can often be high-scoring affairs, but I’m sure both sides would take a 0-07 to 0-06 victory in Salthill.
“It all depends what team Brian Cody picks on Sunday as he deals with suspensions and deciding who to call upon from the conveyor belt of talent that seems to never stop in Kilkenny,” says Dempsey.
"However, Galway have shown a bit of fight in their games and they can make the most of the home advantage to take the points."
DIVISION 1B
SATURDAY 7 MARCH
1500 Offaly v Waterford, O’Connor Park
SUNDAY 8 MARCH
1245 Wexford v Limerick, Wexford
1400 Antrim v Laois, Armoy
Wexford will be looking to banish the memory of the heavy defeat suffered at the hands of Limerick in last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final when the Treatymen visit Wexford Park.
Dempsey believes Sunday’s game will be a much tighter affair but that Limerick will just about edge it.
“Limerick are a point behind Wexford and know that another will see them spend another season in 1B. They don’t want that. They are desperate to get promoted.
"Wexford also want the same thing and know that a win at the weekend will more than likely set them up for a winner-takes-all battle with Waterford as to who will be playing in the top flight in 2016.
"However, as of now I think Limerick have a bit more about them and can claim the two points."
Dempsey also goes with Waterford to beat Offaly and for Antrim to get their first win against a Laois side, whom he claims “have not reached the heights” that Seamus Plunkett had them playing at this time last year.
Watch highlights of the weekend's action on League Sunday on RTÉ2 at 7.30pm.
Viewers outside of Ireland the world can watch this weekend's live games via GAAGO.
DIVISION 2A
SUNDAY 8 MARCH
1245 Derry v Carlow, Celtic Park
1300 Kerry v Westmeath, Austin Stack Park
1300 Wicklow v London, Arklow
DIVISION 2B
SATURDAY 7 MARCH
1400 Donegal v Meath, Letterkenny
1645 Armagh v Kildare, Athletic Grounds
SUNDAY 8 MARCH
1400 Mayo v Down, MacHale Park
DIVISION 3A
SUNDAY 8 MARCH
1400 Fermanagh v Tyrone, Brewster Park
1400 Fingal v Roscommon, St Maurs Rush
1400 Louth v Monaghan, Dowdallshill
DIVISION 3B
SATURDAY 7 MARCH
1400 Warwickshire v Sligo, Páirc na hEireann
SUNDAY 8 MARCH
1400 Leitrim v Longford, Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada
