THE Guinness Leinster Hurling Championship resumes tomorrow with the replay of Carlow and Westmeath, who drew their preliminary round match a fortnight ago.
Westmeath, who went into that game in Castletowngeoghegan with more experience and apparently greater firepower, were fortunate to survive. Although it was Carlow that salvaged the draw in the end, they had looked the more likely winners over the 70 minutes.
Carlow's most obvious weakness has been allayed, with the younger players now having one championship match under their belts. Furthermore they won a Leinster special under 21 title last weekend when beating a well regarded Kildare. The broader spaces at Dr Cullen Park will also suit the home side's younger, more energetic team.
There is the possibility that the match will swing on the competing productivity levels of Carlow's Niall English and Westmeath's Sean McLoughlin, who scored 1-9 and 1-6 respectively the last day. English starts in the corner of the attack.
However It is resolved, the instinct here is that it will be in Carlow's favour.
Meanwhile, this afternoon's Central Council meeting will be held on the premises of Na Fianna because of preparations for tonight's concert in Croke Park. The meeting will decide on the proposals of the Hurling work group to reschedule hurling into a calendar year.
Whereas the full original proposals - which include simultaneous running of League and championship - are unlikely to be passed, the work group is confident of having the calendar year accepted in some form.
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