(3.30 except where stated) DIVISION ONE A
ANTRIM v DUBLIN, Casement Park MICK O'GRADY'S Dublin hurling revolution proceeds apace and the win over Galway was, by all accounts, comprehensive and deserved. Whatever problem hovered over Jamesie Brennan has been sorted out and he now starts having come into the fray relatively early as a substitute. Antrim had a chastening experience down in Ennis, but now welcome back six Dunloy players - three more, Gary and Gregory O'Kane and Nigel Elliott, would have made the cut had they been available - which will strengthen what was an inordinately young and inexperienced side. Nonetheless, the visitors have a formidable look and stuck six goals past the home team in last autumn's Oireachtas Cup.
Maybe a smaller margin this time around, but expect the same result.
GALWAY v OFFALY, Athenry
Somewhat OF a setback for Galway when what was believed - and continues to be believed - to be their best team was beaten fair-and-square by Dublin. Recognition of the fact can be seen in the minimal changes for this fixture. Whereas the club final has no relevance for its inter-county re-enactment, there is a sense that Offaly should benefit from Birr's achievement. The club is underrepresented tomorrow with only Darren Hanniffy (a teetotaller, not insignificantly) playing, as injuries to Barry Whelahan, Niall Claffey and Regan rule them out and Joe Erritty, Brian Whelahan and Johnny Pilkington ummm `resting' after their - admittedly considerable - exertions.
LIMERICK v CLARE, Gaelic Grounds
The latest in what will doubtless become the legendary series of matches between the two neighbours. Change of management will be expected to pep up Limerick, although there hasn't been a huge turnover in personnel and so far, so good with the first NHL outing ending in a competent dismissal of an understrength Offaly. Clare won't have learned much from fleecing Antrim, but the team looks in reasonable mental shape for All-Ireland champions. Anthony Daly's spin at corner back may have long-term implications, but Ger Loughnane is right to be unconcerned by his captain's apparent loss of form.
Last year, even Brian Lohan found the demands of the club championship blunted his edge in the spring. Eventually, the truth behind Loughnane's seemingly over-shrill protestations of indifference to his defence's alarming porousness was demonstrated to be incontrovertible.
Division One B
KILKENNY v WEXFORD, Nowlan Park
Kilkenny can only benefit from yesterday's announcement that DJ Carey had fallen prey to mere indecision, rather than disillusionment with hurling. Morale was in desperate need of a lift after a poor outing in Cork where a number of the re-cast options failed to spark. Rehabilitating players and Carey himself will strengthen the challenge and new manager Kevin Fennelly - beginning to look like a man who had inherited shares in September 1929 - will be a much-relieved man.
Wexford's injury problem at centre back intensified with the loss of Liam Dunne's replacement Shane Carley as they look to raise their game after the fortunate dismissal of Laois the last day. On the basis that improvement is within their compass, Wexford get the vote to dampen buoyant Kilkenny spirits.
LAOIS v TIPPERARY, Portlaoise
Two defeats of contrasting hues for these teams on their inaugural outings. Laois believed themselves robbed by Wexford, whereas Tipp were flattered by a two-point defeat after a couple of late goals had been slipped past Waterford in Thurles. The teams appear to be on different levels of alertness and Laois's hard work and enthusiasm may even give them an edge and the chance to record a rare win over their aristocratic neighbours.
WATERFORD v CORK, Dungarvan
This re-run of the South-East League final will be of great significance in this division, which features a few teams in less-than-optimum shape. Cork were quietly impressive in beating a tame Kilkenny challenge. Their defence was competent, with Fergal Ryan and Brian Corcoran in good early-season form, whereas Alan Browne, now fully restored to fitness, played, according to reports, his best match in a while at this level.
Waterford, under the guidance of former Cork player and trainer Gerald McCarthy, were substantially better than Tipp and will fancy their chances going into this match. Cork, with Mick O'Connell's dead-ball accuracy selected from the start, are, however, narrowly preferred to repeat last year's League victory when the sides met in Division Two.
Division Two A: Kerry v Armagh, Stack Park, 2.00; Wicklow v Carlow, Aughrim; Derry v Roscommon, Celtic Park, 3.00.
Division Two B: Down v Louth, Ballycran; Meath v Westmeath, Trim; Kildare v London, Ardclough, 1.30.
Division Three: Leitrim v Cavan, Carrick-on-Shannon; Mayo v Fermanagh, Ballina, 2.30; Donegal v Sligo, Ballybofey.
