The weekend's matches
TODAY – Division One
Dublin v Tipperary, Croke Park, 5.15– Tipp won't have sent out any mayday signals after last week's squall with Kilkenny but they will have to catch a wind this evening. Declan Ryan makes four crew changes. The All-Ireland-winning full-back line is restored with the return of Paul Curran and Michael Cahill. The forwards though pine for Eoin Kelly (honeymoon) and Noel McGrath (injured). Dublin's Jekyll-and-Hyde routine in Waterford was as worrying as Anthony Daly chooses to make it. When they were good, they were very good and when they were bad etc, etc, etc. Joey Boland returns to a defence which struggled, Shane Ryan gets another shot at continuing early-season form and seeing Conal Keaney in this space and company will be interesting. Tipp in a squeaker.
Division Two
Limerick v Westmeath, Gaelic Grounds, 2.30– Donal O'Grady didn't take long or go too far to offer up the first decent result of his new era. The short trip to Ennis provided Limerick with a foothold in Division Two from which to build. Limerick were efficient without overly troubling the scoreboard keeper last week. Young Kevin Downes, the Leaving Cert student at full forward, justified his selection and should be more influential. O'Grady says he is just looking for performances at this of the year. Table set for another one.
All Ireland Club SHC semi-finals
0'Loughlin Gaels v Loughgiel Shamrocks, Parnell Park, 2.00 (Live, TG4)– The boys of Antrim come down the road to Dublin trailing odds of 5-1 but finding few takers. That's life. They meet an O'Loughlin Gaels side who have specialised this season in displays of character to defy the odds. Escaping from Kilkenny is a major achievement any year but getting past a determined and talented Oulart the Ballagh side after that has hardened the city boys. The habit which has seen O'Loughlin Gaels installed as favourites to go all the way is an ability to chisel out a win without requiring a huge portion of possession. Should work again today.
Clarinbridge v De La Salle, Semple Stadium, 3.45 (Live, TG4) –The Waterford men have been weaning themselves off their John Mullane dependency and the results were evident in the manner of their wins over the Cork and Tipperary champions on the way here. Memories of their semi-final appearance (and humbling by Portumna) two years ago are still raw. As such, they will start as favourites. Clarinbridge with the leadership of the Kerins brothers (Mark returns after a debilitating layoff with a virus) and the precocious talent of young Neil Keary won't go down without a struggle. Won't be enough though.
SUNDAY
NHL Division One
Offaly v Galway, O'Connor Park, 1.0– Joe Dooley performs a modest shuffle making two changes to the side which lost to Cork last weekend. James Rigney will be absent and missed for at least two months after breaking his arm last week. That injury, plus a raft of other big-names watching from the sideline, could be costly. He joins a long sick list. Galway are missing a few big names, a deficiency which was hard to detect in the 21-point demolition of Wexford last weekend. Joseph Cooney (broken thumb) and Cyril Donnellan (hand) are out. Iarla Tannian returns to the squad.
Kilkenny v Cork, Nowlan Park, 2.30 –The league draw was made while Kilkenny still mulled over the loss of their five-in-a-row. Round One? Tipperary. Round Two? Cork. No need to call the guy who gets people back up on the horse. Cork have bad memories of this fixture and no obvious blueprint for the immediate future. The hope will be that the sight of the stripey jersey will restore some atavistic pride and prompt a fighting performance. For Brian Cody things are more simple. If you are a good player who hopes to play on sunnier days you perform on days like these, when the greats are away. That will be sufficient unto the day.
Wexford v Waterford, Wexford Park, 2.30– Neighbours with contrasting starts to last week's league. Wexford were humbled. Waterford got up off the floor against Dublin and powered back into the game. Wexford are going to miss Gizzy Lyng badly all year. Five debutants turned out for Wexford and may need counselling. Waterford, by contrast, could hold a yard sale with all the players they have coming through. Discovering that their forwards could score without John Mullane was a big plus and the form of Richie Foley is a bonus which bodes well for summer. Meanwhile, though, two points on the board for Waterford tomorrow.
Division Two
Antrim v Clare, Casement Park, 12.30 –Cruel wake-up call for Clare last week who entertained Limerick on the assumption that it was two points harvested. A bad start in a competitive division means they make the long journey north hoping to scrape something from Antrim. Sparrow's youngsters to come south again empty-handed.
Kerry v Down, Fitzgerald Stadium, 1.30 –Down had a good start to the league last week plundering two points from last year's novelty package Carlow. The boys from the peninsula must go all the way to Tralee for a sequel but even without Shane Brick, Kerry should have enough for them.
Laois v Carlow, O'Moore Park, 2.45– Ah. The counties which were like Siamese twins last year at one stage. Laois look to have simplified their game and decided on a way of playing. Carlow have a decent panel and a bright manager. Just not enough today though. Laois points.
Division 3A: Armagh v London, Athletic Grounds, 1.0; Kildare v Derry, Newbridge, 1.0; Meath v Wicklow, Trim; Division 3B: Donegal v Roscommon, Letterkenny; Louth v Monaghan, Dowdallshill; Mayo v Fingal, McHale Park, 1.0; Division 4: Fermanagh v Longford, Irvinestown; Leitrim v Cavan, Ballinamore; South Down v Tyrone, Ballela.
Tom Humphries
