Preview: Weekend's Allianz Hurling League action

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

Saturday, March 7

Galway v Kilkenny, Pearse Stadium, 5.15pm - RTE

This is a key game in Division 1A with a win for either team more than likely guaranteeing they’ll retain their place in the top tier for another year.

Both teams have two wins from four games but Galway are entitled to feel a little bit more pleased than Kilkenny with how the campaign has gone thus far.

They’ve blooded a cohort of very talented young players like Cillian Trayers, Kieran Hanrahan, Cian Daniels, Aaron Niland, and Jason Rabbitte who already look very comfortable at the highest level.

There were lots of positives to take from their two defeats to Cork and Tipperary, and last weekend’s win over Waterford confirmed that Micheál Donoghue’s young team is definitely moving in the right direction.

Kilkenny would love to unearth a couple of attacking diamonds like Niland and Rabbitte themselves, but it’s just not happening.

They’ve scored less than every other team in the division and are very reliant on established stars like Mossy Keoghan and Eoin Cody to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Their work-rate and honesty in all areas of the park still makes them a tough team to beat, but that relative lack of firepower compared to some other counties is a big issue for them.

A win for Galway here would be a big statement ahead of the Leinster Championship and they’re capable of getting it.

Limerick v Cork, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 7pm - TG4

These two teams have served up some classics in recent years and there’s every reason to expect this will be another ferociously contested clash.

They’ve been the form sides in the country in recent weeks and it’s going to be fascinating to see how they match up against one another.

Limerick have shown their hand early and named a strong team that shows four changes to the side that beat Offaly last time out as William O’Donoghue returns at centre-back, Barry Nash makes his first start of the season at corner-back, and Gearoid Hegarty and David Reidy come into the attack.

At the time of writing Cork hadn’t named their starting XV yet, but the match-day panel will be strengthened by the return of Shane Barrett after suspension and Seamus Harnedy and Declan Dalton after injury.

Robert Downey (shoulder) and Mark Coleman (hamstring) remain sidelined with injury which significantly weakens the Cork half-back line.

You’d expect that Limerick’s half-forwards Aidan O’Connor, Cathal O’Neill, and Gearoid Hegarty will make the most of their absence by exerting an influence that could be very telling.

Sunday, March 8

Waterford v Tipperary, Azzurri Walsh Park, 3.15pm - TG4

Waterford will be relegated to Division 1B if they lose this match so they’re fighting for their lives.

Consistency has been a big issue for the Deise. They showed they’re capable of being a very good team when beating Limerick but haven’t gotten near that level of performance in any other match.

Team manager Peter Queally admitted he couldn’t explain why they were so lacklustre when beaten by Galway last weekend, but you would imagine he’ll get a reaction from his team for this do or die battle.

Tipperary didn’t play last weekend but the stinging memory of their heavy defeat at the hands of Limerick two weeks ago will still be very fresh in their minds and you can be sure Liam Cahill will also be demanding his players raise their level here.

The Premier County have averaged five more points per match than Waterford so far in the campaign and that sharper cutting edge could prove decisive.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1B

Saturday, March 7

Dublin v Down, Parnell Park, 5pm

It’s been a tough League campaign for Down who have lost their four matches to date by an average of 12 points each.

Another defeat seems likely here against a Dublin team that were very impressive in the last round when beating Antrim by 15 points.

It’s a testament to the depth of their panel that they’ve made eight changes to the team that started that game and still field a very strong XV for this match.

Eddie Gibbons, John Bellew, Conor McHugh, Cathal Kennedy, Paddy Dunleavy, Darragh Power, Conal O'Riain and Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing come into the team in place of Seán Brennan, Conor Groarke, Paddy Smyth, Eoghan O’Donnell, Andrew Dunphy, Brian Hayes, Conor Donohoe and Cian O’Sullivan.

Sunday, March 8

Clare v Wexford, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 1.15pm - TG4

Clare are already assured of a place in the League Final but Wexford need at least a draw here to keep their hopes of promotion alive.

They’re currently second in the table with seven points while Dublin are third on five points with both teams having two games left - Wexford away to Clare and at home to Kildare; and Dublin at home to Down and away to Carlow.

The issue from a Wexford point of view is that if they lose this game and both they and Dublin win their remaining games against Kildare and Carlow respectively and finish the campaign on nine points each, then second-place in the table will be decided by scoring difference as Wexford and Dublin drew when they met in Round 3.

Dublin’s scoring difference is currently 14 points better off than Wexford’s, and they’ll likely stretch that advantage a good deal more with a big win over Down this weekend, so Wexford can’t afford to lose this game.

The fact that Clare have nothing other than momentum to play for improves Wexford’s chances of a positive result, but a trip to Ennis is always a daunting task.

Kildare v Carlow, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 2pm - TG4 Player/App Delayed

This is a huge game in the context of the relegation picture.

Kildare’s very positive campaign to date sees them with four points after four games with Carlow on two points after four games.

With a tough final fixture against Dublin to come, Carlow need to win this match to have any chance of avoiding the drop.

Last year’s Joe McDonagh Cup win for Kildare over Carlow was a real watershed moment in their team’s evolution and they kicked on from it by winning the competition and have looked very much at home in Division 1A with wins over Antrim and Down and a creditable performance against Clare.

The suspension of Jack Sherdian for this game is a big blow, but on current form Kildare should be good enough to edge what is likely to be a very tight encounter.

Allianz Hurling League Division 2

Sunday, March 8

Kerry v Mayo, Austin Stack Park, 1pm

Kerry should maintain their push for promotion with a win here against bottom of the table Mayo. Promotion in this Division could well be decided by scoring difference, so the Kingdom will be out to put up a big score.

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

Meath have performed well so far in the campaign but a Laois team with four wins from four are the form team in the Division and should secure their place in the final with another victory here.

Westmeath v Derry, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm

Just like Kerry, Westmeath are on five points after four games with two very winnable games left in the competition that they ned to win by as big a margin as possible to have a chance of promotion. That could spell a tough day at the office for Derry here.

Allianz Hurling League Division 3

Saturday, March 7

Tyrone v Armagh, Garvaghey, 2pm

Armagh have lost all four matches they’ve played by an average of 12 points and are already doomed to relegation so Tyrone could win this with a bit to spare.

Sunday, March 8

Donegal v Wicklow, O'Donnell Park, 1pm

This should be a cracking game between two well-coached teams. Donegal have won four from four by an average of 17 points but Wicklow should at least run them close.

Fermanagh v Roscommon, Brewster Park, 2pm

Unbeaten Roscommon should be too strong for a Fermanagh team that has lost all their matches and are already relegated.

Allianz Hurling League Division 4

Saturday, March 7

Leitrim v Lancashire, Heartland Credit Union Páirc Seán MacDiarmada, 1pm

Leitrim can keep their hopes of promotion alive going into the final round with a win over a Lancashire team that has lost all four of their matches to date.

Warwickshire v Longford, Páirc na hÉireann, 1pm

Longford have impressed with four wins on the bounce and can make it five here against a Warwickshire team that has struggled for form.

Sligo v Cavan, Enniscrone, 1.30pm

Table-toppers Sligo have won four games by an average margin of 20 points each and should be too strong for Cavan here.