Today’s Previews

ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE – ROUND 2

Division 1

Group A

Clare v Wexford

Cusack Park, 1.45pm (TG4)

Ref: C Lyons (Cork)

Conor McDonald (below) had a brilliant duel with Dan Morrissey for much of last weekend’s Limerick clash and could have had two goals – a more direct style will certainly suit such a natural fielder and finisher. Clare are vulnerable with so many quality finishers absent, Tony Kelly just one of a stellar missing cast. Verdict: Wexford

Offaly v Cork

Bord na Mona O’Connor Park, 2pm (TG4.ie)

Ref: S Stack (Dublin)

Cork have such pace throughout the team, they have the capacity to do real damage here. Every player from the half-back line up found the scoresheet against Clare with Ciaran Joyce really impressing around the middle.

Verdict: Cork

Division 1

Group B

Waterford v Laois

Walsh Park, 2pm

Ref: P O’Dwyer (Carlow)

The vision of Austin Gleeson to make that sideways stick pass to set up a goal opportunity in the second half against Dublin was just one highlight of Waterford’s play. It was near Championship intensity in the final quarter and Liam Cahill will be looking to repeat that level against a Laois side who gave Tipperary their fill of it.

Verdict: Waterford

Tipperary v Kilkenny

FBD Semple Stadium, 3.45pm (TG4)

Ref: L Gordon (Galway)

The Tipperary starting team has had a callow look of late as Colm Bonnar tries to find the next Pádraic Maher, no easy task. Home advantage against a Kilkenny side shorn of the Ballyhale crew in action in yesterday’s All-Ireland club final and unconvincing against Antrim opens the door for a home win.

Verdict: Tipperary

Division 2A

Carlow v Westmeath

Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm

Ref: M Kennedy (Tipperary)

The sucker blow of a late Marc Fisher winning goal for Down was compounded by the talk afterwards of various Mourne County players being the subject of sectarian slurs. Expect Westmeath to round off a bad week. Verdict: Westmeath

Kerry v Kildare

Austin Stack Park, 2pm Ref: N Wall (Cork)

Naas being crowned All-Ireland intermediate club champions continues the Kildare hurling success story but defeat by Meath shows how progress at county level is hard-earned. Verdict: Kerry

Meath v Down

Páirc Tailteann, 2pm

Ref: S Hynes (Galway)

Jack Regan continues to show the way for Meath and his dozen points were so valuable against Kildare. Verdict: Meath

Division 2B Sligo v Donegal

Markievicz Park, 12.30pm Ref: C Flynn (Westmeath)

London v Mayo

Ruislip, 1pm

Ref: C McDonald (Antrim)

Wicklow v Derry

Aughrim, 1pm

Ref: C Mooney (Dublin)

Division 3A

Tyrone v Warwickshire

O’Neills Healy Park, 1pm Ref: J Clarke (Cavan)

Louth v Roscommon

Geraldines GFC, Dundalk, 2pm Ref: J Clarke (Cavan)

Monaghan v Armagh

Inniskeen, 2pm

Ref: T Conway (Derry)

Division 3B

Cavan v Lancashire

Kingspan Breffni, 1pm Ref: A McAleer (Donegal)

Longford v Fermanagh

Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2pm Ref: K Brady (Louth)