Division 1A
Saturday March 7
Dublin v Cork
Sunday March 8
Galway v Kilkenny
Clare v Tipperary
CROKE PARK will provide the backdrop on Saturday evening for a League game of genuine substance.
Will Dublin’s stirring start under Ger Cunningham continue? Having lost to a remodelled Kilkenny Cork flickered against Clare; two more points need to be put into their account. That ensures the trip to the pale carries significance. Liam Rushe’s aerial ability is a potent threat on the edge of the square - it will be interesting to see how Cork cope with the altitude deliveries.
Galway’s collision with Kilkenny at Pearse Stadium is another match with plenty of importance attached. Both teams have won one and lost one. In this clustered group the margin for error is slim especially now as the latter rounds drift closer with knockout and relegation talk imminent: it could be edgy in Salthill.
Clare’s tussles with Tipperary don’t have the dark poison of the late 90s anymore, but two panels with crafty stickmen crave a result clash at Ennis. It isn’t exactly crisis time in Clare just yet even if a third defeat on the spin might have some animated natives becoming a little bit restless.
Division 1B
Saturday March 7
Offaly v Waterford
Sunday March 8
Wexford v Limerick
Antrim v Laois
Waterford accumulated a healthy score when defeating Laois so Derek McGrath’s promising collection of youngsters will hope to maintain their productive campaign in the midlands. A hectic Fitzgibbon Cup schedule has impacted Waterford, who know another triumph would keep them in serious promotion contention. Offaly showed well when eventually outfoxing Laois, but the loss to Wexford was a reality check.
In the south east Wexford’s encounter with Limerick will reveal much about what either outfit can or cannot achieve in the spring. Liam Dunne and TJ Ryan don’t need to be instructed about the benefits of being in the top tier. Victory is necessary so the stakes will be piled fairly high.
Retaining 1B status is Antrim and Laois’ current brief - a battle is imminent at Ballycastle.
Division 2A
Derry v Carlow
Wicklow v London
Kerry v Westmeath
Despite losing to Derry London manager Fergus McMahon had cause for optimism as his players summoned a hearty second half performance last weekend at Greenford. Such drive must be replicated against a Wicklow side similarly eager to avoid the drop.
Derry and Carlow, who both hurled in London recently, will compete in what promises to be a physical clash. The improving hurling skills of both teams, though, bodes well for the summer with Dinny Cahill’s involvement alongside the well regarded Tom McLean adding to Derry’s confidence levels.
Westmeath’s policy under old manager Brian Hanley was to introduce young players into the inter-county fold; new boss Michael Ryan is continuing that mission. Kerry, though, can be awkward opponents so it could be tight.
Division 2B
Saturday March 7
Donegal v Meath
Armagh v Kildare
Sunday March 8
Mayo v Down
Division 3A
Sunday March 8
Fingal v Roscommon
Louth v Monaghan
Fermanagh v Tyrone
Division 3B
Saturday March 7
Warwickshire v Sligo
Sunday March 8
Leitrim v Longford
