Saturday
Division One Allianz NHL semi-final: Cork v Kilkenny
Throw-in: 7.15pm. Venue: Parc Ui Chaoimh. On TV: Live on TG4.
This feels like a significant night for Cork hurling. They’ve responded to last year’s acute All-Ireland final disappointment to Limerick with a highly persuasive, high scoring league and now Kieran Kingston’s side are little more than three weeks out from their Munster championship game against the All-Ireland champions. Naturally, the Cork manager welcomes the visit to Kilkenny as perfect preparation. It will be that - and then some. The Cats are serial league winners under Brian Cody and have hoovered up 10 titles under his watch while Cork have not won the spring contest since 1998. League seasons can peter out but Kilkenny’s approach will authenticate the value of this match. Cork have no real choice but to go full blooded for the win here. Easier said…
Adrian Mullen and Eoin Cody have both featured after their travails with Ballyhale but their club mate TJ Reid, the beacon for black and amber hurling, has yet to feature. The conversion of Pádraig Walsh to centre-half forward has been a revelation, with 0-5 from play against Waterford. Centre-half back has been a series of auditions for both teams and Cork expect to have Séamus Harnedy, Seán O’Donoghue and Tim O’Mahony available for selection. Kilkenny have been improving week on week but Cork’s firepower and the home advantage can see them through.
Division One relegation play-off: Antrim v Offaly
Throw-in: 3pm. Venue: Parc Tailteann. On TV: Live on TG4 YouTube.
This is probably the most significant hurling game of the weekend. The immediate task for Michael Fennelly this week was to help his players erase the memory of the 4-17 Limerick rained down on them last weekend. Offaly knew there would be days like this in Division One and also figured that their survival would come down to this game against this opposition. The one consolation is that their misery against Limerick pales when compared to Antrim, who shipped 7-28 against Tipperary - albeit with an under-strength team. It was rough justice for Darren Gleeson’s side, who have been competitive in Division 1B, losing to Kilkenny by just three points in the first round. When these teams met in the Walsh Cup, Offaly took their chances to emerge with a 3-21 to 0-18 win. With Neil McManus reportedly out with a hamstring injury and Niall McKenna and Michael Bradley definitely out, Antrim are up against it. Offaly have managed just three goals in their league campaign and if they can add to that this afternoon, they can survive this test.
Sunday
Division One NHL semi-final: Wexford v Waterford.
Throw-in: 3.45pm. Venue: Nowlan Park. On TV: Live on TG4.
An impressive opening act by new manager Darragh Egan, who has guided Wexford to this stage with a perfect record. Rory O’Connor has given a series of exceptional attacking displays and Egan has introduced exciting younger players like Oisín Pepper and Charlie McGuckin. They’ve made light of the enforced absence of Lee Chin and will travel to Kilkenny in buoyant mood.
Wexford’s barnstorming league has helped to keep the spotlight off Waterford, which will suit Liam Cahill just fine. They rested several established starters in last week’s defeat to Kilkenny. But by then, Waterford had delivered a statement 10 point win over Tipperary, recovering from a 0-9 to 0-3 start to finish with a 1-28 to 0-21 score line. This was achieved without Calum Lyons, Kieran Bennett and Jamie Barron. Stephen Bennett, on a demonic scoring tear, registered 1-16 in that match alone (0-5 from play) with Pauric Mahony coming in from the bench while his Ballygunner clubmate Dessie Hutchinson did not feature. With a settled defence revolving around the spine of Conor Prunty and Tadgh de Burca, they have the stuff to bring Wexford’s gallop to a halt - for the time being.
