Galway defeated Waterford in the 2017 All Ireland Senior Hurling Final.
Allianz Hurling League Division 1B
Sunday March 3
Waterford v Galway, Walsh Park, 2pm
Waterford appeared to be motoring along smoothly claiming emphatic wins, but they encountered a pumped up Dublin at Parnell Park.
Not even another significant scoring contribution from Stephen Bennett could deny Dublin, who were anxious to atone following a disappointing effort in Salthill when they were thumped by Galway.
That was Micheal Donoghue's charges most effective 70 minutes of the campaign as the emerging players blended with the experienced figures.
Donoghue has adopted that policy for the League thus far and it will be interesting to see how Waterford and Galway fare in the knockout rounds.
WATERFORD: Stephen O'Keeffe; Darragh Lyons, Shane McNulty, Noel Connors; Callum Lyons, Philip Mahony, Michael Walsh; Jamie Barron, Kevin Moran; Colin Dunford, Mikey Kearney, Pauric Mahony; Peter Hogan, Stephen Bennett, Shane Bennett.
Carlow v Offaly, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm
It has been a demoralising spring for Offaly, who did show some battling qualities against Galway last Sunday.
The Tribesmen still cruised to victory, though, so Kevin Martin will want his team to summon a much improved display at Netwtach Cullen park.
Carlow's draws with Galway and Laois mean a home win is likely to earn them a quarter-final berth, depending on matters at Parnell Park.
Dublin hurling manager Mattie Kenny.
For the 2017 Christy Ring and 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup champions that would represent a significant achievement.
Colm Bonnar deserves the utmost credit for bringing Carlow to this stage, but he will be aware that the next couple of weeks are going to be revealing.
Dublin v Laois, Parnell Park, 2pm
Parnell Park as provided the backdrop for 2019 Dubli wins against Carlow and Waterford.
There was much to admire in how Dublin beat the Deise last Sunday with Danny Sutcliffe at his brilliant best.
Sutcliffe's display bodes well ahead of another busy summer, but before then Dublin would relish another few outings in the League.
For Laois a victory would be sufficient to earn a quarter-final spot too under Eddie Brennan.
The win over Offaly provided a dollop of hope, but being ready to make a real push for the Joe McDonagh Cup is what Laois want to accomplish.
LAOIS: Enda Rowland; Joe Phelan, Matthew Whelan, Donncha Hartnett; Lee Cleere, Ryan Mullaney, Padraig Delaney; Cha Dwyer, Sean Downey; Aaron Dunphy, Mark Kavanagh, Paddy Purcell; Willie Dunphy, Neil Foyle, Stephen Maher.
