NHL previews

A look ahead to the weekend's matches

SUNDAY

DIVISION 1A

Cork v Galway, Páirc Uí Chaoimh (12.45) – Cork are flying. Last week’s win in Croke Park was worth more than two league points in terms of morale and the spring experience of winning in Dublin again. Fitness coach Dave Matthews is responding to the needs of a squad that has always liked to push themselves and JBM sounds as if he is enjoying life on the sideline. The retirement of Ben O’Connor this week was further evidence of a changing of the Rebel guard.

Damian Cahalane replaces the injured Stephen McDonnell at full back and John Gardiner pushes into centre back. Galway will have a tough job rebounding from their defeat to Tipperary here. Joe Canning remains in the sanatorium.

Anthony Cunningham has brought in Portumna’s Andy Smith to midfield and Johnny Coen comes into the half-back line. It should be an open, free-scoring game and that will suit Cork.

Kilkenny v Dublin Nowlan Park (2.30) – Dublin may feel slightly aggrieved not to have at least earned a draw against Kilkenny last week.

Nonetheless, the odds are they will be looking at a 0-and-3 start to the league by tomorrow night. Dublin will throw everything into this match. It could be a testing time for Eoin Murphy if he gets his second start in the Kilkenny goal. Last year’s league final is certain to be a reference point for both teams and Kilkenny won’t want to make a habit of losing to Dublin in this competition.

Tipperary v Waterford Semple Stadium (2.30) – Darren Gleeson gets his start in front of the evergreen Brendan Cummins in the Tipperary goal, while Johnny Ryan makes his debut in the half-forward line.

The win over Galway will have settled Tipperary. The decision to add Pa Bourke to the starting line was well rewarded with his return of 1-6 and he retains his place. Eoin Kelly is held in reserve once again.

Tony Browne returned to the Waterford team for last week’s defeat to Kilkenny and his experience will be needed here. The visitors will be hoping for a bigger return from their half-forward line. Waterford have a habit of flipping form on its head but a home win looks the more likely.

DIVISION 1B.

Laois v Clare, Portlaoise (12.45).

Teddy McCarthy has placed no pressure on his squad in terms of this league, instead concentrating on the championship. But Laois put in a decent performance against Limerick last week after a disastrous start.

Davy Fitzgerald’s team are progressing and he identified accuracy as one of their chief problems as they dispatched Antrim last week. He expects a physically demanding game from the Laois men but Clare are on course for another win.

Offaly v Antrim, Tullamore (2.30) – The past masters of the comeback at the death were caught out in just that way against Wexford last week when they blew a nine-point lead and lost. Ollie Baker has gone with the same 15 and the onus is on them to atone for that collapse.

Senan McToal will play in goal for the visitors as Chris McConnell, the substitute goalkeeper with Loughgiel Shamrocks, will be in Croke Park with his club for the All-Ireland club finals this afternoon.

Darren Hammill and Seán McLaughlin also come into the Antrim half-forward line. The visitors will be hoping to redress the bluntness of their attack and will fancy their chances here. But Offaly learned the hard way last week and should win.

Wexford v Limerick, Wexford Park (2.30).

Last weekend’s stunning comeback hasn’t prompted Liam Dunne to sit tight: he has made seven changes, with familiar names like Darren Stamp and Rory Jacob back in the attack. Keith Rossiter is at full back and Niall Breen has replaced Éanna Martin in goal.

Limerick’s league has been hampered by injury and this is a crucial game for both counties: the home team look better placed to take it.

COMPILED BY KEITH DUGGAN