Preview: Weekend's Allianz Hurling League action

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

Saturday, February 21

Tipperary v Limerick, FBD Semple Stadium, 5.30pm – RTE

This should be a cracking encounter with both counties naming strong looking teams.

Tipp make five changes to the team beaten two weeks ago by Cork as Barry Hogan in goals, Joe Caesar, Eoghan Connolly, Noel McGrath and Seán Kenneally come into the starting XV.

Limerick make six changes to the side that enjoyed an impressive win over Kilkenny as Kyle Hayes makes his first start of the year and is joined in the XV by Dan Morrissey, Darragh O’Donovan, Colin Coughlan, Cathal O’Neill, and Shane O’Brien.

William O’Donoghue was excellent at centre-back for Limerick against Kilkenny and seems to now be anointed as Declan Hannon’s long-term successor in the position.

It’ll be interesting to see how he copes with the pace and clinical finishing of Andrew Ormond who likes to roam from the centre-forward position and will look to pull the Limerick centre-back out of position.

In the past Tipperary have struggled to combat Kyle Hayes rampaging runs from wing-back against Limerick, but rising star Sam O’Farrell is a serious athlete himself and is likely to be given the task of curbing Hayes.

The middle third battle is going to be crucial because both teams have inside forward lines capable of running riot given a decent supply of ball.

It’s likely to be a match of fine margins decided by the impact from the bench. With Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey, and David Reidy to call on here, Limerick could have a slight edge.

Sunday, February 22

Kilkenny v Waterford, UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, 1.45pm - TG4

A vital match for both teams that will likely determine whether they’ll be in the shake-up for a place in the final or not.

Waterford’s campaign started very poorly when they were hammered by Cork but they’ve responded positively with consecutive wins over Limerick and Offaly.

The win over Limerick was especially impressive as they hurled with a ferocious physical intensity and took most of the chances that came their way clinically.

Ruben Halloran has been their player of the competition so far and it’ll be interesting to see if he can maintain that form in the likely presence of Kilkenny’s outstanding man-marker, Mikey Butler.

The Cats have yet to really catch fire so far this year and have been very reliant on Eoin Cody for inspiration in attack.

This is likely to be a tough, tight match, but Waterford’s bench impact could be greater than Kilkenny’s.

Offaly v Galway, St Brendan's Park, Birr, 2pm

It’s been a tough League campaign so far for an injury-hit Offaly who have lost their three games by an average margin of nine points each.

Galway are also winless, but they could take plenty of positives from their two defeats to Tipperary and Cork with a clutch of young players showing plenty of promise.

Cillian Trayers looks like a proper full-back in the making and Jason Rabbitte and Aaron Niland are two forwards you feel could be huge players for the Tribesmen for years to come.

Offaly will hurl with plenty of pride like they always do, but Galway’s greater quality is likely to shine through.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1B

Saturday, February 21

Dublin v Wexford, Croke Park, 5pm

This is a huge game in terms of the promotion picture in Division 1B.

Clare look destined to finish in one of the top two places and there’s a very good chance this match could decide who joins them in the final.

Wexford have won three matches from three but laboured to victory in the first two of those games against Antrim and Down before finally finding some decent form last time out against Carlow.

That win marked the return to action of Lee Chin, and it’s hardly a coincidence that Wexford only pulled away from Carlow after he arrived on the pitch.

Dublin’s form line is arguably more impressive. They were only denied victory against Clare by a last-minute Tony Kelly and then looked very comfortable when beating a Kildare team they held to just two points from play.

Their greater solidity in defence and the scoring power of players like Donal Burke, Ronan Hayes, Brian Hayes, Cian O’Sullivan and Fergal Whitely should see them come out on top.

Kildare v Clare, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 6.30pm

Kildare gave their chances of staying up in Division 1B a big boost with victory over Antrim in Round 3.

This is a big step up though against a Clare side that has won three from three and seems keen to secure promotion as quickly as possible.

Clare have scored an average of 37 points per game so far in the campaign and that sort of firepower should ensure another comfortable win here.

Sunday, February 22

Antrim v Carlow, Corrigan Park,1pm - GAA+

This is a must-win game for Antrim who have lost three from three if they’re to avoid relegation to Division 2.

The concern for them is that their level of performance has diminished since a creditable showing in the first round against Wexford, culminating in a chastening defeat to Kildare last time out.

Carlow know they’ll secure their Division 1A status with a second win of the campaign here and they should have enough firepower to get the job done with the likes of Marty Kavanagh, Chris Nolan, and Donagh Murphy in attack.

Allianz Hurling League Division 2

Saturday, February 21

Laois v Kerry, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 2pm

The winner of this top of the table clash is very likely to make it to the Division 2 Final.

Laois have enjoyed two very comfortable wins over Mayo and Derry but this game represents a significant step-up.

Kerry have averaged 30 points in each of their three games and arguably their best result was a draw with Westmeath despite playing for more than half of the game with 14 men.

Laois are slight favourites, but Kerry are capable of springing a surprise.

Sunday, February 22

London v Westmeath, McGovern Park, Ruislip, 1pm

It’s been a difficult start to the campaign for London who were heavily beaten by both Meath and Kerry and could only manage a draw against a depleted Mayo team.

Westmeath are one of the favourites for promotion and should win this comfortably enough.

Meath v Derry, St Loman's Park, Trim, 1pm

Derry have lost a good chunk of last year’s panel and suffered heavy defeats to Kerry and Laois in the first two rounds.

A win over Mayo last time suggests they’re on an upward curve again, but Meath’s form so far in the campaign is more convincing.

Allianz Hurling League Division 3

Saturday, February 21

Donegal v Armagh, O'Donnell Park, Letterkenny, 2pm

Donegal have won their two matches to date by an average of 21 points each whereas Armagh have lost three from three by an average of 13 points each. Another big win for Donegal looks likely so.

Fermanagh v Tyrone, Brewster Park, Enniskillen, 2pm

Tyrone have beaten Louth and Louth have beaten Fermanagh. That form-line suggest a win for Tyrone here.

Louth v Roscommon, Protection & Prosperity Louth, 2pm

Roscommon have made a strong start to their campaign, winning two from two. One of those wins came against an in-form Wicklow so it carries extra weight. Louth have won two games also but they came against the bottom two teams, Fermanagh and Armagh.

Allianz Hurling League Division 4

Saturday, February 21

Cavan v Lancashire, Kingspan Breffni, 1pm

Cavan were a little unlucky to lose to Longford last time out and should get back to winning ways here against a Lancashire team that is pointless after two games.

Sligo v Warwickshire, Tubbercurry, 2pm

With three big wins in a row, Sligo are very much the form team in this division and should be too strong for a Warwickshire team that has lost both of their games.

Monaghan v Leitrim, Grattan Park, 2pm

Leitrim lost to Sligo by eight points whereas Monaghan lost to them by 18. That form-line suggests the Connacht side can come out on top here.