Today’s previews
HURLING Division 1 Group A Limerick v Waterford LIT Gaelic Grounds, 2pm
Last night’s postponed match goes ahead today (subject to this morning’s pitch inspection) and it’s a chance for Waterford to draw a line under the rout of last summer by the same opposition. Shane Bennett has been in free-scoring form but Limerick look just as formidable as last spring when they won the competition outright.
Verdict: Limerick
Westmeath v Cork
TEG Cusack Park, 2pm
When the teams met last summer in a preliminary All-Ireland quarter-final at the same venue, Cork managed the singular feat of hitting hurling’s 40-point mark – a truly remarkable tally of white flags. Another tough challenge for the home side looks in store. Verdict: Cork
Galway v Tipperary
Pearse Stadium, 2pm (TG4)
That Tipperary have lost two dingers in the opening rounds won’t unduly worry Liam Sheedy – the All-Ireland champions have played lots of good hurling without various big names in the starting 15. This is one, though, he’ll surely target.
Verdict: Tipperary
Division 1 Group B
Clare v Laois
Cusack Park, 2pm (TG4, deferred)
Tony Kelly’s hurling genius was stamped all over Clare’s grudge match against Davy Fitzgerald’s Wexford and another win here would bring the play-off stages within reach at such an early point. Verdict: Clare
Wexford v Kilkenny Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2pm (TG4, deferred)
Richie Hogan’s impact on his reappearance against Carlow is just one more positive for Kilkenny who are humming along right now. The likes of Alan Murphy, Paddy Deegan and Ger Aylward have really picked up the slack and they look in the sort of form to get something from a difficult venue.
Verdict: Kilkenny
Division 2A
Mayo v Wicklow Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, Bekan, 1pm
That Wicklow had Meath on the ropes for long spells the last time suggests they are strong enough to win on the road here.
Verdict: Wicklow
Division 2B Roscommon v London, Dr Hyde Park, 1pm
After being very competitive against the top teams in the division, London look solid enough to take their first points
Verdict: London
Division 3A
Longford v Armagh Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 2pm
Verdict: Armagh Louth v Donegal Darver, 2pm Verdict: Donegal
Monaghan v Tyrone Castleblayney, 2pm Verdict: Tyrone
FOOTBALL Division 2
Laois v Cavan, MW Hire O’Moore Park, 2pm
The prize on offer here for Laois hardly needs spelling out – a win will take them top of the division and almost certainly secure them a place in the Sam Maguire.
Mickey Graham’s Cavan bounced back from their drubbing against Armagh in the opening round to achieve a morale-boosting win over Westmeath.
However, there appears to be no end to the drip of bad news for Graham who, on top of losing six key players in the close season, now has Niall Murray ruled out for the rest of the season with a quad injury. The news is unlikely to get any better here.
Verdict: Laois
Division 3 Louth v Offaly Drogheda, 1pm
It’s early days but there is a sense that these two teams are destined for the tier two championship this summer.
Indeed, the only question remaining is whether they will be in Division 4 next spring. A loss for Louth would leave them pointless and bottom of the table.
Offaly’s attack lacks potency – not helped by the freak injury sustained by Cian Farrell – but a big score won’t be needed here.
Verdict: Offaly
Division 4 Wicklow v Sligo Aughrim, 1pm
Sligo’s momentum will be tested here against a Wicklow side that were very impressive in beating Waterford 2-11 to 1-6 last time out. Verdict: Wicklow
Postponed matches
NHL 2A
Offaly v Antrim NHL 2B
Derry v Kildare NHL 3B Fermanagh v Sligo