hurling

Preview: Weekend's Allianz Hurling League action

25 May 2018 - 11:25AM

Tipperary hurler Cathal Barrett.

Sunday February 4

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

Kilkenny v Clare, Nowlan Park, 2pm

This should be an interesting encounter at Nowlan Park.

Kilkenny lost under the Saturday night Pairc Ui Chaoimh lights to Cork, while Clare overcame Tipperary on Sunday.

Cathal Malone married graft with craft; Tony Kelly rifled over a couple of sweet points; David Reidy converted opportunities from free and play.

Producing a performance in Kilkenny, though, is still a mission every team wants to accomplish.

KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy; Joey Holden, Padraig Walsh, Paddy Deegan; Cillian Buckley, Robert Lennon, Joe Lyng; James Maher, Ollie Walsh; John Donnelly, Richie Reid, Richie Leahy; Bill Sheehan, Walter Walsh, Alan Murphy.

CLARE: Donal Tuohy; Jack Browne, Conor Cleary, Patrick O'Connor; David Fitzgerald, David McInerney, Seadna Morey; Colm Galvin, Tony Kelly; Cathal Malone, John Conlon, David Reidy; Shane O'Donnell, Peter Duggan, Podge Collins.

Wexford v Cork, Innovate Wexford Park, 2pm

With two points tucked safely away already Wexford and Cork's clash should be tasty.

David Dunne had an injury ravaged 2017, but he was back to his best pilfering 2-2 in the win over Waterford.

John Meyler's developing Cork outfit stayed the distance against Kilkenny with the experienced Seamus Harnedy and Conor Lehane leading the way.

Having worked so hard to reach this level, Wexford will be completely aware that another victory would leave them in a healthy position.

WEXFORD: Mark Fanning; Damien Reck, Liam Ryan, Shaun Murphy; Paudie Foley, Matthew O'Hanlon, Simon Donohoe; Kevin Foley, Diarmuid O'Keeffe; Aidan Nolan, Lee Chin, Jack O'Connor; Paul Morris, David Dunne, Conor McDonald.

CORK: Patrick Collins; Sean O'Donoghue, Eoin Cadogan, Conor O'Sullivan; Christopher Joyce, Tim O'Mahony, Mark Ellis; Darragh Fitzgibbon, Daniel Kearney; Robbie O'Flynn, Conor Lehane, Bill Cooper; Alan Cadogan, Patrick Horgan, Seamus Harnedy.

Shane Dooley struck a goal against Dublin.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1B

Offaly v Limerick, Bord Na Mona O'Connor Park, 2pm

Offaly summoned the standout performance and result from the opening weekend of action.

Significant confidence was acquired from the manner in which a coltish Dublin team were beaten at GAA headquarters.

Kevin Martin's sensible approach has earned the players respect and there was a good mix of physicality and poise.

Limerick, though, remain serious promotion contenders and this will be a revealing match for Offaly.

Aaron Gillane scored heavily against Laois and with two All Ireland Under 21 titles claimed in three years, Limerick aren't short on talented options.

OFFALY: Conor Slevin; Tom Spain, Sean Gardiner, Ben Conneely; David O'Toole, Pat Camon, Dermot Shortt; David King, Shane Kinsella; Damien Egan, Colin Egan, Dan Currams; Joe Bergin, Conor Mahon, Oisin Kelly.

LIMERICK: Nicky Quaid; Sean Finn, Seamus Hickey, Richie English; Diarmaid Byrnes, Dan Morrissey, Paddy O'Loughlin; Cian Lynch, Paul Browne; Tom Morrissey, Darragh O'Donovan, Barry O'Connell; Aaron Gillane, Seamus Flanagan, Barry Murphy.

Antrim v Dublin, Corrigan Park, 2pm

Antrim were wonderfully spirited, but the Saffrons still left Salthill pointless which was disappointing considering the display.

Dublin were caught out by Offaly's powerful performance at Croke Park so this fixture in Belfast matters.

Having been so competitive in the west Antrim will want to take a good scalp, but Dublin know the value of this game.

Another loss would be a huge blow so Pat Gilroy's charges will be striving to deliver a much improved display.

ANTRIM: Chris O'Connell; Paddy Burke, John Dillon, Aaron Graffin; Joe Maskey, Matthew Donnelly, David Kearney; Conor McKinley, Gerard Walsh; James Connelly, Neil McManus, Nigel Elliott; Donal McKinley, Conor McCann, Conor Johnston.

DUBLIN: Alan Nolan; Paddy Smyth, Bill O'Carroll, Eoghan O'Donnell; Shane Barrett, Chris Crummey, James Madden; Cian McBride, Tomas Connolly; Donal Burke, Fergal Whitely, Danny Sutcliffe; Conal Keaney, Eamon Dillon, Paul Ryan.