Weekend previews

A look at this weekend's other big games

NHL Division One/Two Play-off

Limerick v Laois

This should provide the final word on the line-up for next year's Division One, assuming Offaly fail in their heartfelt quest to have that division expanded to 10 teams.

Laois will put up a good challenge, and were impressive in beating Wicklow in the Division Two final in Thurles a fortnight ago. Limerick, however, simply have too much class and experience to slip up here - and it would be true disaster for their hurling prospects if they did.

Manager Richie Bennis will want a good solid warm-up ahead of their Munster date with Tipperary on June 10th, and in that regard there will be no holding back. They lost the services of Conor Fitzgerald this week, but Limerick still have the players, especially up front, to inflict real damage.

Verdict- Limerick.

Connacht SFC-First Round

New York v Sligo

The annual banana skin for the travelling Connacht team has a historical element to it this year as tomorrow's game at Gaelic Park will be the first ever championship game to be played on an artificial surface. Sligo, naturally, will be hoping it won't prove any more historic than that.

When the sides met five years ago Sligo won on a 1-19 to 1-11 scoreline, and a similar result is expected here. The big disadvantage for New York is the lack of any competitive games.

Verdict- Sligo.

Ulster SHC-First Round

Antrim v London

Here's a game with only one possible outcome, and that's a whopping big win for Antrim - even if London gave them a bit of a scare last year. The county will be satisfied with nothing less than a 46th Ulster title this year and London, who didn't win a single game in Division Two B of the league, aren't about to stop them at this stage.

Verdict- Antrim.

Ulster SHC-First Round

Amagh v Derry

So Armagh have yet to win an Ulster hurling title, and five losses from five in the league suggest that's not about to change soon. At least they're back in the competition.

Derry, the reigning Nicky Rackard Cup champions, have slipped off the pace of Antrim since winning their last Ulster title in 2001, but they enjoyed a reasonably successful league.

Verdict- Derry.