WEEKEND PREVIEWS

TODAY VERY CAMOGIE LEAGUE DIVISION 1A CLARE V GALWAY Cusack Park (2.0)

Galway boss Cathal Murray has utilised the leagues astutely, paying far more than lip service to the notion that form in the spring will be rewarded come the championship.

What’s more, he has done this while being competitive, the Tribeswomen reaching the last four finals (2020 falling foul to Covid) and winning three of them.

Clare started last year’s campaign with a bang when they overcame subsequent All-Ireland semi-finalists Tipperary. They didn’t build on that however and will want to be more consistent this term.

TIPPERARY V WATERFORD Tipperary Camogie Grounds (2.0)

Waterford return to the top tier with a new manager, following Seán Power’s decision to resign after just one year.

Jerry Wallace is a highclass appointment however, having served at the highest level in hurling, with Cork, Antrim and Limerick, and steered the Rebels minors to four All-Ireland camogie wins on the spin.

Denis Kelly will be looking to unearth some new talent in his second season as Tipp boss.

KILKENNY V CORK UPMC Nowlan Park (2.0)

This is a duel that never needs the big PR treatment especially when Cork are coming as All-Ireland champions.

Both teams are under new management, with the former Cork hurler Ger Manley stepping into the Rebels’ vacancy left by Matthew Twomey but it is a familiar set-up to the players.

In contrast, Peter Cleere was unknown to the Kilkenny panel in a coaching sense at least. The twotime All-Ireland winner with the Cats takes over from Brian Dowling having cut his teeth with Carlow.

LIDL NFL DIVISION 1 KERRY V MAYO

Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney (2.30) Champions Kerry can take a huge step towards another final with victory here, while Mayo need the points to keep their heads above water.

The green and red were in a relegation dogfight last year and they’re in a cluster of three teams on three points each after three rounds, ahead of basement teams Galway and Waterford.

TOMORROW LIDL NFL DIVISION 1 CORK V WATERFORD Páirc Uí Rinn (2.0)

Cork aren’t out of the running for a final place but the Leesiders need to start picking up points.

Currently on three points, and with one victory from three outings, a second win of the campaign here would boost their hopes. However, defeat would leave Shane Ronayne’s charges in a relegation scrap, as Waterford, who’ve lost their last three games, would draw level with them in the divisional standings.

Another defeat for Waterford would leave them playing real catch-up and in an increasingly perilous position, with two teams facing the drop to Division 2.

DUBLIN V GALWAY Parnell Park (2.0)

Dublin finally got off the mark with a crucial victory over Mayo in Ballina last time, after two previous defeats.

Now, the All-Ireland champions will feel they can start looking towards the top end of the table but they come up against a Galway side desperate for points. The Tribeswomen are one of just two teams in the top flight, along with Waterford, who have lost their opening three games.

Having contested the 2023 Division 1 final, another defeat here and Galway could be looking at the prospect of Division 2 fare next year.

MEATH V ARMAGH Ashbourne (2.0)

One of the three 100 per cent records in the top flight will go here, depending on the result, and these are two teams harbouring high hopes of contesting the April 7 final at Croke Park.

Armagh have made a brilliant return to Division 1 after landing last year’s Division 2 crown, while Meath are something like their old selves again.