National Hurling League Previews

Division One A

Dublin v Kerry, Parnell Park

This is the beginning of what may well be Michael O'Grady's final year with Dublin. Having threatened much the county has found it hard to deliver at a championship level. The team is quite young and will need all the experience they can pick up in the League.

Kerry are similarly inexperienced if operating at a different level and to a more lowly set of ambitions. Survival would be a fair achievement for Kerry. Dublin and Antrim would be the two fixtures they would have eyed as within their compass but they have been drawn away in both. Dublin should get off to a lively start.

Clare v Galway, Milltown Malbay

A revival of one of the hits of the summer and one of the recurrent rivalries at the moment with the respective county champions squaring off in next month's All-Ireland club final.

Galway are in buoyant mood and were confident and effective against Offaly. Clare had an undemanding win over Kerry, and one wonders if a good League performance by Barry Murphy (injured for tomorrow) and a big score by former Tipperary under-21 Kenny Ralph will have any long-term significance, given that Ralph's claims for a place on the Clare team weren't considered compelling during Clarecastle's good run two years ago. Similarly, the once-spurned Fergus Flynn finds his stock more highly valued in Galway. The counties' recent League meetings have been entertaining affairs. Whether that trend is maintained remains to be seen but Galway look more in the mood to win this game, despite the revival of the controversial practice of rotating goalkeepers.

Offaly v Antrim, Birr

Antrim impressed many with their display against Limerick. Short the Cushendall players and pivotal forward Allistair Elliott, they still gave Eamonn Cregan's team a run for their money. Before the fuss over the missing Cushendall players erupted, they would have been optimistic given their good League record against Offaly. Equally unfortunately for that positive scenario, Offaly were quite interested in the opening fixture in Ballinasloe and are benefiting from the blooding of unfamiliar names: Conor Gath was the main provider but Brendan Murphy also caught the eye in attack. With home advantage they should bank their first points. Bye: Limerick.

Division One B

Tipperary v Derry, Thurles, 1.30

After an encouraging start at home to Waterford, the water gets choppy for Derry. Tipperary are in hot form if the performance in the South-East League final means anything and as a county have never been squeamish about trimming out-gunned opponents. Derry are spirited and have class in Oliver Collins and scoring ability in Geoffrey McGonigle and Gregory Biggs, but they will do well to avoid psychological damage here.

Waterford v Wexford, Walsh Park, 2.45

Wexford defended well against Laois, but despite an attempt to find new talent they still required a significant input from the old firm of Storey and Dempsey in attack despite the potential of Chris McGrath, Michael Jordan and Paul Codd, whenever he emerges from his tent. In this context Gary Laffan's return to the panel takes on added importance.

Waterford are also looking for new talent and for unfulfilled players to come to the fore. They can pick up the points.

Laois v Kilkenny, Portlaoise, 3.0

An excellent catharsis for Kilkenny last week as the All-Ireland final was avenged in a cracking match. DJ Carey misses this but it was more important that he sparkle as he did against Cork. High-level performances at the expense of Laois aren't as beneficial for morale. John Power's measure of atonement for last September was probably the most striking example of how seriously Brian Cody's team are taking the season and whereas tomorrow's match won't have them as revved up, they should win this notwithstanding Laois's perennial appetite for this League fixture. Despite a spirited show against Wexford, Laois's personnel shortcomings made it too hard for them to be ultimately competitive.

Bye: Cork.

Division Two

Meath v London, Trim, 2.0

A gradually re-emerging Meath have too much in hand for London. Westmeath v Roscommon, Mullingar

Local rivalry between two aspiring counties with Westmeath looking to have a distinct edge at present.

Kildare v Down, Naas

Kildare top the table because of the drubbing handed to Tyrone but Down also got a good result against the more reputable Wicklow and should travel successfully.

Armagh v Tyrone, Armagh

Already has the look of a relegation play-off. Home win.

Wicklow v Carlow, Arklow

Another neighbourhood squabble. Carlow are another team who appear to have snapped out of recent decline and should prove as much.

Division Three

Fermanagh v Monaghan, Enniskillen

Bad result for Monaghan a week ago with another one on the way.

Leitrim v Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon

Leitrim's away point in Scotstown was a surprise but the home campaign may start badly.

Mayo v Louth, Crossmolina

Louth on the verge of another enormous win.

Cavan v Donegal, Breffni Park

Cavan's mauling by Louth shouldn't distract them from the perennial possibilities of this fixture.

Bye: Longford.