Weekend hurling league previews

Sunday

Laois v Clare (Portlaoise 3.30pm)
Davy Fitzgerald winced a little last Sunday at the prospect of visiting Laois as he has been keeping a close eye on the form the midlanders have shown. Seamus Plunkett's team have been competitive in each game, from a stubborn display against Wexford with 14 men in the second half to limiting Munster champions Limerick to just 0-5 during the first half next Sunday. Learning how to close out promising positions against more experienced counties is the next step. That is unlikely to happen here. Clare are still buzzing: outscoring, out running, out thinking. Pressure points seem few and far between.

They targeted Peter Duggan repeatedly for restarts against Galway until the Tribesman began to swamp the big man. The full back line creaked a bit when faced with a barrage of direct ball. Protecting the goal is critical for Laois here: encouraging as their form has been, they have recorded with just one win and one draw. A second win against the All-Ireland champions would be the shock of the year.

Wexford v Kilkenny (Wexford Park 3.30pm)
The visit of Kilkenny marks a startling elevation in form and intensity for Liam Dunne's young Wexford team. They have been competitive in division 1B without exceeding expectations. Paul Morris may have sufficiently impressed in last week's losing performance against Cork to earn another start. Kilkenny piled on the scores against Waterford in a victory that suggests they are hitting form at the right time. Central defensive positions still need to be decided upon but the primary task of absorbing young players like Mark Kelly and JJ Farrell into the side has been achieved. Colin Fennelly and Walter Walsh have enjoyed brilliant spring seasons and with Henry Shefflin restored to the starting 15 , there is a familiar and ominous look about the Cats. Wexford will make the short trip south well worthwhile for the visitors but Kilkenny are warming to this league.

Limerick v Galway (Gaelic Grounds 3.30pm)
Galway have had a quietly productive league without setting the world on fire. The relocation of Iarla Tannian at centre-back and the emergence of Cathal Mannion as a new forward option are the two most obvious talking points but Padraig Brehony is also working his way towards securing a midfield spot.

Joe Canning watched last week’s exciting draw from the stands and an 11th hour decision will be made about the Portumna man’s fitness for this match. As ever, a Galway team including Canning becomes a better team. The perpetual question for Galway is how best to use his talents.

This would be a useful day for the reintegration process to begin. Limerick have been competent in the league but there is a sense that they are building towards another big Munster championship.

Galway's run of games against Division 1A opposition leaves them better-placed to advance.

Tipperary v Cork (Semple Stadium 3.45pm)
The old firm tip caps following Tipperary's great escape against Dublin a week ago. It wasn't their hurling touch that the Tipp squad had to relocate so much as the fire in their bellies and, perhaps, a little bit of luck. Eamonn O'Shea's relief afterwards was palpable as the league season has opened up before them again. Conceding goals has been their bugbear in the league and they rectified that against Dublin.

The anticipated return of Paul Curran in coming weeks will further solve defensive issues and John O’Brien’s return offers experience and an industrious, ball-winning forward. They have to plan without Michael Cahill, Pádraic Maher and Patrick ‘Bonnar’ Maher for this quarter final and those three absences could be significant. But Cork visit Thurles without Eoin Cadogan and Aidan Walsh, both of whom are on football service. With promotion secured, Jimmy Barry Murphy has made six changes to his team. Tipp have found some momentum and the sight of red and white may help them to maintain it.

Division One A
Relegation play -off

Waterford v Dublin (Walsh Park 3.30pm)
It has been a tough close to a promising league for Waterford, who met the wrong team at the wrong time in Nowlan Park last week. The 4-22 to 0-14 loss was the second pounding they have taken in this league and while they will be happy to return to Walsh Park, where they are a formidable proposition, nerves must be a little frayed. Can they beat Dublin twice in one league? If so, they will probably need to post a bigger total than the 1-13 which saw them through on March 9th. Ray Barry and Séamus Prendergast have been called up to the full forward line.

The home team also needs to discover its miserly side at the other end of the field. Dublin could easily have been preparing for a quarter-final this weekend and are hurling consistently after their shocking opening match against Galway. They are well-equipped to come through what will be a stern test.