These two managers go head-to-head on Sunday in the opening round of Division IA fixtures in the Allianz Hurling Leagues - GAA.ie talks to bainisteoirí Davy Fitzgerald (Wexford) and John Kiely (Limerick) ahead of the game between the sides in Innovate Wexford Park on Sunday (throw-in 2pm) Juveniles (Under 16 Years of Age) are FREE admission for the game, while adult tickets are €12.00 if purchased before matchday. Match-Day Prices are Adult €15.00, while concessions (Student/OAP) are €12.00 and available at the venue on matchday with valid I.D. Tickets are available for purchase in selected SuperValu and Centra stores nationwide; full details of which shops apply can be found at http://www.gaa.ie/tickets/where-to-buy/
Sunday February 12
Allianz Hurling League Division 1B
Offaly v Galway, O'Connor Park, 1pm
Galway placed an emphasis on experimentation during the Bord Na Mona Walsh Cup affording youngsters an opportunity to shine.
Wins over DIT, NUIG, Laois, and IT Carlow showcased their promise, but last Sunday’s defeat against Kilkenny was a reminder of the distance they still have to travel to face top class opposition.
Micheal Donoghue, though, can reflect with plenty of satisfaction on how Galway have performed, especially considering at this stage last year the Tribesmen didn’t have as much early season work carried out due to his appointment in December 2015.
Donoghue, Noel Larkin, and Francis Forde are a well regarded management team, who came close to guiding Galway back into an All Ireland Final.
Relegation to Division 1B was a setback so it will be interesting to see how Galway cope with the heavy burden of expectation in this group.
Joseph Cooney continues to perform smartly for Galway and his ability to win possession is critical with Joe Canning expected to miss the majority of the League.
New Offaly manager Kevin Ryan will be anxious that the Faithful produce a solid performance on home turf, with the experienced Joe Bergin an injury concern ahead of the weekend.
OFFALY: James Dempsey; Danny Maloney, Michael Cleary, Paddy Rigney; Aidan Treacy, Conor Doughan, Ben Conneely; Paddy Murphy, Cillian Kiely; Shane Dooley, Sean Gardiner, Emmet Nolan; Sean Ryan, Oisin Kelly, Sean Cleary.
Kerry v Laois, Austin Stack Park, 2pm
Former Waterford selector Fintan O’Connor is an interesting appointment for Kerry, who have enjoyed two decent Allianz League campaigns in a row.
O’Connor has an impressive coaching CV at schools and club level, while the two years spent with the Waterford set-up was invaluable too.
Eamonn Kelly, now in charge of Laois, and Ciaran Carey both impressed with Kerry and O’Connor will be striving to maintain their development.
Kerry manager Fintan O Connor.
A year ago Laois struggled in Division 1B before winning a critical promotion/relegation play/off with Westmeath at O’Connor Park.
Forwards such as PJ Scully are blessed with ability, but Laois will want to be consistent and competitive throughout the Spring.
KERRY: Aiden McCabe; Sean Weir, Rory Hogan, Bryan Murphy; Paud Costello, Patrick Kelly, Darren Dineen; Paudie O'Connor, Colum Harty; Jack Goulding, Mikey Boyle, Daniel Collins; Jordan Conway, Padraig Boyle, Shane Nolan.
Wexford v Limerick, Innovate Wexford Park, 2pm
A bumper crowd is expected in the south east for what should be a full blooded affair between two pumped up teams.
Davy Fitzgerald’s Wexford have played 14 Challenge and Bord Na Mona Walsh Cup matches over the past couple of months.
Fitzgerald’s passion for the game hasn’t diminished and Wexford are the type of project the Sixmilebridge native will relish.
Limerick, are also under new management, with John Kiely in charge and the Treatymen are anxious to return to the top flight of hurling.
That is why this encounter will be fast and frenetic, especially at the start, as the Wexford public are beginning to believe in their hurler once more.
Wexford’s attendances at their home Walsh Cup fixtures confirmed the appetite that exists within the county.
A battling Semi-Final defeat to Kilkenny featured a brave Wexford performance with Fitzgerald hoping to take a few notable scalps this Spring.
An away trip to Pearse Stadium follows for Wexford so the first two matches of the League will show Fitzgerald exactly where they stand.
LIMERICK: Nicky Quaid; Stephen Cahill, Richie McCarthy, Mike Casey; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Seamus Hickey; Paul Browne, James Ryan; Gearoid Hegarty, Cian Lynch, Kyle Hayes; Peter Casey, David Dempsey, Graeme Mulcahy.
