WEEKEND PREVIEWS
TODAY ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE - ROUND 4 DIVISION 1 GROUP B LIMERICK V TIPPERARY
Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 7.35pm (RTÉ2) No Kyle Hayes in the matchday squad but such is Limerick’s strength-in-depth that two-time Hurler of the Year Cian Lynch comes back into the starting 15. The experiment of Cathal O’Neill at centre-back is likely to face a much more searching examination — Jason Forde did serious damage previously in a roving role for Tipperary — and Liam Cahill’s side have what it takes to really stress test the All-Ireland champions.
VERDICT: LIMERICK
WESTMEATH V ANTRIM Cusack Park, 3.30pm
It’s been a tough enough campaign for both to this point but Westmeath can take some comfort from being competitive against Limerick and Tipperary, the benchmark teams in the group. Direct ball and the finishing of David Williams proved a potent combination against the latter so expect the home side to go for the jugular.
VERDICT: WESTMEATH
DIVISION 2A KILDARE V KERRY Hawkfield, 2pm
A failure to convert two penalties cost Kildare against Down, though that had much to do with Stephen Keith’s reactions between the sticks. A much improved performance that day suggests the home side can get their first win of the campaign.
VERDICT: KILDARE
DIVISION 3A CAVAN V ARMAGH
Breffni Park, 1.45pm
DIVISION 3B
LONGFORD V LEITRIM Pearse Park, 2pm
FERMANAGH V LANCASHIRE
Brewster Park, 1pm
VERY CAMOGIE LEAGUE DIVISION 1A CORK V TIPPERARY Páirc Uí Rinn, 12pm
Although without a number of elite performers including All-Stars Cáit Devane and Karen Kennedy, Denis Kelly’s Tipp side showed ferocious work rate to outgun Galway, when Eimear McGrath pounced for a hat-trick of goals and seven points.
For the Rebels, under the stewardship of Ger Manley this year, Katrina Mackey has been a key performer once more. A win here would leave the Leesiders with one foot in the final.
WATERFORD V CLARE Fraher Field, 2pm
Waterford will be expected to overcome Clare, who are 0 for 2 but have given a good account of themselves against Galway and Kilkenny so far. John Carmody is beginning a rebuilding phase that will take a few years, with a number of last year’s All-Ireland junior-winning squad stepping up.
GALWAY V KILKENNY Loughrea, 2pm
This could be the clash of the weekend. While both Galway boss Cathal Murray and new Kilkenny manager Peter Cleere are prioritising the identification of fresh blood capable of operating at elite level, this is a game they want to win.
LADIES HEC O’CONNOR CUP FINAL
UCC V DCU DÓCHAS Abbotstown 4pm
TOMORROW ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE - ROUND 4 DIVISION 1 - GROUP A WATERFORD V WEXFORD
Walsh Park, 3.30pm (TG4) It’s hard to avoid the plotline of Davy Fitzgerald coming up against his former Wexford charges and Waterford could really do with a home win at the redeveloped Walsh Park. A long injury list continues to impact on team selection but the sight of Calum Lyons, Jamie Barron and Conor Sheahan making big impacts against Cork offers encouragement.
VERDICT: WATERFORD
CLARE V KILKENNY Cusack Park, Ennis, 1.30pm (TG4)
No other county has been better able to go toe-to-toe with Limerick yet Clare have found their Munster hurling sheen diminish when coming up against Kilkenny at Croke Park. A chance then for Brian Lohan’s charges to officially confirm their top-flight status for 2025.
VERDICT: CLARE
OFFALY V CORK
O’Connor Park, 1.15pm (TG4 player/deferred) Johnny Kelly’s side can take a lot of heart from how competitive they’ve been to this point, pushing Kilkenny all the way at Nowlan Park last time out. Dan Ravenill, Adam Screeney and Charlie Mitchell represent the new wave but other injuries make this a big ask against a Cork side with such scoring potential.
VERDICT: CORK
DIVISION 1 - GROUP B GALWAY V DUBLIN Pearse Stadium, 1.30pm
In Henry Shefflin’s third season, the idea that Johnny Glynn could be the answer after a four-year sabbatical looks left-field to say the least. Micheal Donoghue will look for a response after the manner in which Dublin were outclassed by Limerick at Croke Park.
VERDICT: GALWAY
DIVISION 2A ROUND 4 MEATH V LAOIS Páirc Tailteann, 2pm
Laois’ winning run was brought to an abrupt end by Carlow in the last round, even if Paddy Purcell had a big impact around the middle third. A chance then to get that promotion bid back on track.
VERDICT: LAOIS
CARLOW V DOWN
Dr Cullen Park, 2pm Chris Nolan and Marty Kavanagh continue to show why they are such a high-class double act and they are a big reason why Carlow are in pole position.
VERDICT: CARLOW
DIVISION 2B
ROSCOMMON V DONEGAL Dr Hyde Park, 1pm
WICKLOW V DERRY Aughrim, 1pm
LONDON V TYRONE Ruislip, 1pm
DIVISION 3A
SLIGO V MONAGHAN Markievicz Park, 2pm
MAYO V LOUTH
Bekan, 2pm