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SHC Qualifiers: Round 1 preview

Offaly forward Shane Dooley.

Offaly forward Shane Dooley.

Saturday July 2

All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Qualifiers Round 1

By Cian O'Connell

Wexford v Offaly, Innovate Wexford Park, 3.30pm

Two months ago Offaly were dealing with their worst Leinster Championship defeat in decades.

Westmeath beat the Faithful in Mullingar, but wins over Carlow, Kerry, and Laois edged Offaly into a provincial semi-final with Galway.

The Tribesmen pulled clear in the second half, but there was a streak of defiance to Offaly which ensured they left Portlaoise heartened.

Wexford's 2016 campaign has been sprinkled with disappointing defeats and a lengthy injury list isn't helping.

Liam Dunne will hope that Wexford can deliver on home turf in this defining encounter.

Progress is being made by Offaly according to boss Eamonn Kelly.  "We think we are improving since the first day against Westmeath," Kelly said following the Galway loss.

"We are hurling better and hurling against better opposition, so we need to be. We are not going to roll over at this stage, we have too much done."

Westmeath hurling manager Michael Ryan.

Westmeath hurling manager Michael Ryan.

Westmeath v Limerick, TEG Cusack Park, 5pm

Michael Ryan's diligent work with Westmeath is one of the hurling success stories of the year.

An Allianz Hurling League Division 2A title has been followed by a string of decent performances in the Leinster Championship.

The Round Robin series brought a drop of glory as Westmeath outfoxed Offaly, Kerry, and Carlow.

Galway proved to be too powerful and crafty in the Leinster quarter-final, but Westmeath are developing nicely.

Despite the early dismissal of John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer, Tipperary were still able to cope with Limerick's Munster SHC semi-final challenge.

Worryingly Limerick have lost three of their last four matches in League and Championship.

A year ago Limerick negotiated this Westmeath hurdle, and they will be keen to produce an enterprising display in the midlands.

Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald.

Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald.

Clare v Laois, Cusack Park, Ennis, 7pm

So energetic and efficient when winning the Allianz Hurling League title Clare were disappointed with how their Munster SHC semi-final against Waterford unfolded.

Ultimately it means an All Ireland qualifiers journey needs to be launched by Davy Fitzgerald's talented team.

In 2013 Clare generated momentum chalking up impressive victories before exploding in the latter stages at Croke Park.

Reaching GAA headquarters again is the mission Clare will seek to accomplish by stitching a winning sequence together.

It has been a demanding campaign for Laois, who have only registered one competitive success in 2016.

That victory preserved their Allianz Hurling League Division 1B status, but the widely respected Seamus 'Cheddar' Plunkett knows huge improvement will be necessary to remain competitive in Ennis.

Ger Cunningham pictured during the 1990 All Ireland SHC Final.

Ger Cunningham pictured during the 1990 All Ireland SHC Final.

Cork v Dublin, Pairc Ui Rinn, 7pm

There is no shortage of sub-plots attached.

Ger Cunningham, who proudly graced the hooped Cork goalkeeper jersey for a couple of decades, brings Dublin Leeside.

Dublin were spiky in the first half against Kilkenny before the Cats embarked on a trademark third quarter flurry.

Cork's only victory in 2016 happened in an Allianz Hurling League relegation play/off against Galway.

JJ Delaney, the Kilkenny legend, reckons Kieran Kingston's future will be questioned if Cork fail to summon a response.

"If they go down like they did against Tipperary I can't see a future for him to be honest," JJ Delaney said.

"If they have a bit of fight back, a bit of heart back into their play I'd definitely give him another year. The attitude will tell a lot because this is knockout.  

"If your head is not right and if the manager cannot get the team and players right for a knockout game by going out with the attitude we will keep the score down here then I don't think there is a future.

"But if they come out all guns blazing, which they are more than capable of doing, Cork above any team are confidence players; Patrick Horgan and these lads you have to get them involved in the game.

"The attitude of the players and how they perform on Saturday will determine whether Kieran gets another year or not. It will be interesting to see."