Dublin v Clare: Clare got a good run for their money against Laois last week whereas Dublin got a good seeing to in Galway.

Saturday

Division One A

Dublin v Clare, Parnell Park, 3.15

Humphrey Kelleher stoically perseveres with his heavy training schedules, presumably on the calculation that relegation will be decided in the matches against Laois, Down and Antrim. But the erosion of morale caused by heavy defeats won't help. Tony Carmody was the only Clare forward in any form last week but Anthony Daly's team won't be needing their highest gears here.

Sunday

Division One A

Laois v Waterford, Portlaoise, 2.30

Once again Paudie Butler appears to have Laois in defiant humour for the league and they were desperately unlucky in Ennis last week. Waterford had their own woes, losing Ken McGrath for the remainder of the league and encountering a bumpy introduction for the new-look central defensive alignment. The form of John Mullane and his formidably impressive restraint despite an amount of fouling was a more positive outcome of the Kilkenny defeat. It may well be close but Waterford should win.

Kilkenny v Galway, Nowlan Park, 2.0

Don't mention the war. Galway's year collapsed last July on the receiving end of the summer's most furious and driven display. Both sides started this season well and Galway have been boosted by the return of last year's captain Ollie Canning.

Kilkenny's greater sharpness told against Waterford but there were also ominous signs for the rest of the hurling world that they're in the mood to win everything this year, from the Walsh Cup up. Galway's enormous win over Dublin has to be qualified by the poverty of the opposition display. This will be a more reliable test of how the team is recovering after last year and maybe their dander will be up given the opposition but it looks like a home win.

Division One B

Limerick v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, 2.0

Two sides recovering after horror shows last week. Despite their rigorous training regime Limerick were brushed aside with worrying ease by a Cork team hardly back from their holidays. Maybe Cork were exceptionally good for this time of the year but it was dispiriting for Limerick amid rumours of discontent in the camp.

Tipp were nearly beaten by Down and in the absence of Eoin Kelly look a bit powder-puff up front. Morale can't be great at the moment and it adds up to a good chance for Limerick to avenge last summer's qualifier defeat despite their own problems.

Wexford v Cork, Wexford Park 2.30

Another echo of last year's championship and one that has boomed uncomfortably for Wexford. The win over Antrim was hard earned in difficult circumstances but compared to the All-Ireland champions' regal dispatch of Limerick, it pales a little. Neil Ronan's sensational return to Cork's attack was one of the many positives that will have pleased John Allen. Wexford, who bring in John O'Connor and Darren Stamp (if he passes a fitness test) into the half-back line, are again under-strength and although Cork haven't their A team out it's close enough and, anyway, their reserves are deeper. If last week's form means anything, the points will go back Leeside.

Down v Antrim, Portaferry  2.30

Down's upswing has been impressive and they were undeservedly eight-point losers in Thurles. Antrim fought the good fight against Wexford but look to be treading water. This could well be the first sign of a power shift in Ulster.

Division Two A

Derry v Roscommon, Swatragh 2.30

Derry were game enough against Offaly and will win this.

Westmeath v Offaly, Cusack Park 2.30

Big match for both teams. Offaly should win with something to spare but Tom Ryan's willingness to engage with Páidí over dual players tells us that the home side mean business.

Kildare bye.

Division Two B

Kerry v Sligo, Tralee, 1.30

Great result for Sligo last week but this trip will be as fruitless as it is long.

London v Carlow, Ruislip, 1.0

Carlow won the summit meeting with Kerry and will win this despite London's big win in Meath.

POSTPONED: The Meath-Wicklow game scheduled for Arklow has been postponed and refixed for Saturday , March 5th (3.0) at the same venue. The postponement is due to the death of Mrs Bridget Donnelly, mother of Meath hurlers David and Paul Donnelly.

Division Three A: Longford v Leitrim, Pearse Park; Mayo v Armagh, Ballina; Donegal, bye.

Division Three B: Louth v Fermanagh, Drogheda; Monaghan v Cavan, Gavin Duffy Park; Tyrone, bye.