Preview: Weekend's Allianz Hurling League action
Kilkenny manager Brian Cody.
Saturday January 27
Allianz Hurling League Division 1
Cork v Kilkenny, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 7pm
An interesting match is anticipated down by the banks of the Lee. Can Cork build on a hugely encouraging 2017 under new manager John Meyler?
A raft of classy players were unearthed last year culminating in a dramatic and deserved Munster success.
Kilkenny suffered Championship losses to Wexford and Waterford so there was much to ponder over the winter with Michael Fennelly’s retirement a blow. How Kilkenny approached the Bord Na Mona Walsh Cup suggests that emerging players will be offered an opportunity to shine in the League.
CORK: Anthony Nash; David Griffin, Eoin Cadogan, Colm Spillane; Christopher Joyce, Tim O'Mahony, Sean O'Donoghue; Darragh Fitzgibbon, Bill Cooper; Robbie O'Flynn, Conor Lehane, Brian Lawton; Alan Cadogan, Seamus Harnedy, Shane Kingston.
KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy; Joey Holden, Padraig Walsh, Paddy Deegan; Conor O'Shea, Joe Lyng, Cillian Buckley; Conor Fogarty, Ollie Walsh; Martin Keoghan, Richie Reid, Pat Lyng; Alan Murphy, Walter Walsh, Conor Martin.
Allianz Hurling League Division 1B
Dublin v Offaly, Croke Park 5pm
Pat Gilroy’s first League match in charge of Dublin is against an Offaly outfit that took some encouragement from a couple of gutsy Bord Na Mona Walsh Cup displays.
Kevin Martin is managing the Faithful county, who have endured tough times in recent years so they will be anxious to take a couple of scalps in the competition.
The return of several key players has boosted Dublin significantly and Gilroy will want to be in the promotion mix.
DUBLIN: Alan Nolan; Paddy Smyth, Bill O'Carroll, Cian Hendriken; Shane Barrett, Cian McBride, Chris Crummey; Johnny McCaffrey, Tom Connolly; Donal Burke, Fergal Whitely, Ronan Smyth; Alan Moore, Paul Winters, Fionn O'Riain Broin.
New Dublin hurling manager Pat Gilroy.
Sunday January 28
Allianz Hurling League Division 1
Clare v Tipperary, Cusack Park, 2pm
A year ago Clare’s Allianz League was hampered by Ballyea’s All Ireland Club Final appearance, but those players are available from the outset of the competition in 2018.
Aron Shanagher’s injury and Aaron Cunningham’s trip to Australia ensure Clare will be without two decent attackers.
This is an important year for the Banner, but Tipperary will also be anxious to enjoy some success themselves even though the prolific Seamus Callanan is set to miss the majority of the League.
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, Conor McGrath.
TIPPERARY: Paul Maher; Alan Flynn, Tomas Hamill, Donagh Maher; Seamus Kennedy, Padraic Maher, Tom Fox; Cathal Barrett, Ronan Maher; Conor Kenny, Noel McGrath, Sean Curran; Ger Browne, Jason Forde, Patrick Maher.
Waterford v Wexford, Walsh Park, 2pm
A lively south east derby is inevitable as Wexford seek to demonstrate what they are capable of at the highest level in the League.
In 2017 Wexford commenced the competition with a couple of daring and unexpected triumphs over Limerick and Galway. That set the tone and promotion to Division 1A was secured in impressive fashion.
The Championship brought further joy with a Leinster Final appearance, but Waterford remain a crafty team under Derek McGrath.
WATERFORD: Ian O'Regan; Conor Gleeson, Barry Coughlan, Shane McNulty; Tadhg de Burca, Austin Gleeson, Philip Mahony; Jamie Barron, Darragh Fives; Kevin Moran, Pauric Mahony, Jake Dillon; Stephen Bennett, Maurice Shanahan, Thomas Ryan.
Tony Kelly remains an influential player for Clare.
Allianz Hurling League Division 1B
Galway v Antrim, Pearse Stadium, 1pm
The Allianz League and All Ireland champions return to competitive action in Salthill against an Antrim team that are working hard to develop further.
This will be a demanding assignment for the Saffrons, who are intent on producing in the Joe McDonagh Cup in the summer. Being ready for then is the mission, but Galway will have some objectives of their own to achieve.
Micheal Donoghue’s calm and sensible approach brought the ultimate honour to the west in September. Can the Tribesmen stay perched on the summit of the hurling world?
GALWAY: James Skehill; Ronan Burke, Daithi Burke, Jack Grealish; Adrian Tuohy, Martin Dolphin, Aidan Harte; Johnny Coen, Eanna Burke; Niall Burke, Joseph Cooney, Paul Flaherty; Brian Concannon, Conor Cooney, Jason Flynn.
Limerick v Laois, Gaelic Grounds, 2pm
Limerick have invested hugely in youth during the past decade and two All Ireland Under 21 titles in the last three years supplies players and promise.
It is a critical campaign too for Laois, who need to be resilient in the League, but a pumped up Limerick will be waiting in the Gaelic Grounds.
In the 2017 Championship Limerick suffered losses to Clare and Kilkenny with the Treaty reflecting on what might have been following those two matches. Limerick are heavily fancied to make serious progress in the coming months.
LAOIS: Enda Rowland; Lee Cleere, Leigh Bergin, Podge Lawlor; Jack Kelly, Matthew Whelan, Eric Killeen; Patrick Purcell, James Ryan; Ben Conroy, Cha Dwyer, Cian Taylor; Ross King, Neil Foyle, Patrick McKane.
Allianz Hurling League Division 2A
London v Kerry, McGovern Park, Ruislip, 1pm
Kildare v Meath, Newbridge, 2pm
Carlow v Westmeath, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm
A highly competitive Division 2A is in store. Disappointed to be back at this level, Kerry will feel that they can return to Division 1B, but playing London in Ruislip is always a challenge.
There is potential in Kildare, but Sunday’s clash against **Meath **will offer a good barometer to where the Lilywhites stand.
Carlow and **Westmeath **have been gutsy competitors for much of the past decade, playing in some well contested battles. It shouldn’t be any different at Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday and whoever emerges with the spoils will be well placed to launch a promotion tilt.
Westmeath hurling manager Michael Ryan.
Allianz Hurling League Division 2B
Wicklow v Armagh, Bray Emmets, 12.30pm
Derry v Down, Celtic Park, 2.30pm
Mayo v Donegal, Ballina, 2pm
With Middletown Na Fianna's All Ireland Intermediate Club involvement Armagh's preparations have suffered so Sunday's match in Bray against Wicklow will be tough.
Wicklow have been busy working at Under 21 level especially trying to integrate emerging players into the set-up.
The all Ulster clash at Celtic Park between Derry and Down should be keenly contested, while Donegal, who have made good strides, will hope to examine Mayo in Castlebar.
Allianz Hurling League Division 3A
Roscommon v Louth, Dr Hyde Park, 12.30pm
Tyrone v Warwickshire, Dungannon, 1pm
Longford v Monaghan, Pearse Park, 2pm
Allianz Hurling League Division 3B
Lancashire v Fermanagh, Randalstown, 1pm
Sligo v Leitrim, Tourlestrane, 2pm
