ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE
(ALL GAMES 2PM UNLESS STATED)
DIVISION 1A
KILKENNY v DUBLIN
Nowlan Park (Live TG4) Ref: C Lyons (Cork) If Paul Murphy and Liam Rushe go head-to-head, it could be worth the gate entry alone. Dublin came agonisingly close to beating Kilkenny in Nowlan Park under Anthony Daly and can push the holders all the way again.
Verdict: Kilkenny
KILKENNY: E Murphy; T Keogh, P Murphy, J Tyrrell; B Kennedy, K Joyce, C Buckley; G Brennan, L Ryan; P Walsh, Walter Walsh, M Ruth; M Kelly, J Farrell, R Hogan.
DUBLIN: A Nolan; C O’Callaghan, M Carton, P Schutte; C Crummey, P Kelly, C Keaney; S Durkin, S Lambert; C Cronin, E Dillon, D Sutcliffe; D Treacy, L Rushe, M Schutte.
TIPPERARY v GALWAY
Semple Stadium (Deferred TG4) Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath) There was a hint of Beckett in Eamon O’Shea’s ‘try again, fail again, fail better’ post-match interview at Parnell Park after a 12-point defeat by Dublin and that might just sum up this encounter.
Verdict: Galway
TIPPERARY: D Gleeson; C Barrett, P Curran, C O’Brien; M Breen, P Maher, R Maher; K Bergin, G Ryan; D Maher, J Forde, B Maher; J O’Dwyer, S Callanan, J McGrath.
GALWAY: C Callanan; J Coen, J Hanbury, AN Other; G McInerney, D Collins, I Tannian; J Cooney, A Smith; P Brehony, J Glynn, D Higgins; C Mannion, J Flynn, J Regan.
DIVISION 1B
ANTRIM v LIMERICK
Ballycastle
Ref: J Keenan (Wicklow) The Saffrons were unlucky not to leave Wexford with something and they will be no pushovers in Ballycastle but Limerick dropped a point against Waterford last week and with Shane Dowling returning to head their attack, that should focus their minds on the long trip north.
Verdict: Limerick
ANTRIM: C O’Connell; R McCambridge, N McAuley, A Graffin; S McCrory, C McKinlay, M Bradley; N McManus (capt), C Johnston; P Shiels, D McKernan, E Campbell; C Clarke, PJ O’Connell, M Donnelly.
LIMERICK: tba
OFFALY v WEXFORD
O’Connor Park, Tullamore
Ref: F Horgan (Tipperary) This is one of the more interesting games of the day. Wexford were fortunate to get the win at home to Antrim, but are strengthened by the return of captain Matthew O’Hanlon from suspension. Offaly had a good win over Laois and seem to be moving in the right direction. This game may have come too soon for them, though. Verdict: Wexford
OFFALY: J Dempsey; N Wynne, D Shortt, S Egan; E Nolan, C Egan, D Mooney; P Camon, S Ryan; J Bergin, S Kinsella, D Currams; S Dooley, P Murphy, S Quirke.
WEXFORD: M Fanning; L Ryan, M O’Hanlon, C Kenny; P Foley, L Chin, E Moore; D Redmond, G Sinnott; I Byrne, D Waters, D O’Keeffe; P Morris, J Guiney, L Óg McGovern.
DIVISION 2A
Wicklow v Kerry
Aughrim, 1.0 Referee: S Cleere (Kilkenny) Disciplinary issues have dogged Wicklow of late and Leighton Glynn’s straight red card against Carlow won’t make things any easier here.
Verdict: Kerry
Derry v Westmeath Owenbeg
Referee: L McAuley (Antrim) Westmeath are motoring under Michael Ryan and have to be fancied.
Verdict: Derry
DIVISION 2B
Armagh v Donegal
Athletic Grounds
Ref: C Cunning (Antrim)
Verdict: Armagh
Kildare v Down St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge Ref: P Murphy (Carlow)
Verdict: Kildare
Mayo v Meath MacHale Park Ref: J Keane (Galway)
Verdict: Mayo
DIVISION 3A
Fingal v Tyrone Swords Referee: G Quilty (Kilkenny)
Verdict: Fingal
Louth v Fermanagh Darver Referee: K McGeeney (Roscommon)
Verdict: Fermanagh
Monaghan v Roscommon Castleblayney Referee: J Clarke (Cavan)
Verdict: Roscommon