TIPP WON’T BE BLUE MODEL SHOULD TAKE OUT TRIBE NO SWITCHING OFF

Dublin Tipperary Tomorrow, Parnell Pk, 3pm

v

FROM the heavy beating by Limerick, Dublin have shown clear signs of progress under Pat

Gilroy in their last two outings.

They were far more competitive against the All-ireland champions Galway while last Sunday’s tie with Laois, a tricky assignment on paper, was completed with minimum fuss. They’ve had some decent wins against Tipp at Parnell Park over the years and will be confident of rattling them here, even if the sides have gone in different directions of late. Tipperary manager Michael Ryan (inset) may continue to experiment but still has enough. VERDICT: Tipperary

Wexford Galway Tomorrow, Wexford Pk, 2pm

v DAVY FITZGERALD’S demeanour after last Sunday’s loss to Kilkenny suggested that a home League quarter-final against Galway wasn’t quite what he wanted.

With Galway due to visit the south-east in the revamped Leinster SHC on June 2, this fixture is a useful dry run for Micheal Donoghue’s side, who still appear to be playing catch-up after being swamped in the second half by Limerick last Sunday.

You have to wonder if they can bridge the gap to enable them to hold onto their League title for another Sunday at least.

Given how Wexford have been moving over the past few weeks, probably not.

Offaly Kilkenny Tomorrow, O’connor Pk, 1pm

v OFFALY’S last few appearances at this stage of the League have been demoralising wipeouts.

Last year Tipperary had 18 points to spare on them; Kilkenny went six better the year before.

Although Kevin Martin (inset) has improved Offaly’s lot since taking over, a first win over Kilkenny in League or Championship in almost 20 years, having not beaten them at home since 1985, is too much to expect. It should be a more competitive affair than the last couple of quarterfinals Offaly have been involved in, but Kilkenny will claim a fourth win in a row. VERDICT: Kilkenny