Weekend hurling previews

Looking ahead to this week's hurling contests

Today

DIVISION ONE

Galway v Offaly, Pearse Stadium, 2.30pm – Galway manager John McIntyre won’t have the services of the Portumna players this weekend, but the sooner he gets Joe Canning and co back on board the better. Last Sunday’s defeat to Tipperary wasn’t so much disappointing for the scoreline (2-17 to 0-14) but the nature of it, given Galway looked well in control at half-time, having been vibrant and inventive throughout the field. Then they came out for the second half and scored a solitary point.

No wonder McIntyre didn’t make himself available for comment afterwards. No one doubts the class and quality of this Galway panel, but people are starting to doubt if they’ll ever deliver on it with the sort of consistency and confidence necessary to challenge for an All-Ireland.

Offaly’s visit will definitely test the character of the team, and how quickly they can get back to winning ways. There was a bit of swagger about Offaly last Sunday as they clawed Dublin back to record a first win of the campaign, and veteran defender Ger Oakley is also back on board for this one.

Galway have lost star forward Iarla Tannian, scorer of 3-6 to date, for the rest of the league with a hand injury, but if they are to be serious contenders this year then there are plenty of other players who should be able to step in. Nothing less than a victory will satisfy McIntyre here, and that should be what he gets.

DIVISION TWO

Kildare v Down, Newbridge, 2.30 – Down are still seeking their first win of the campaign, and it’s unlikely to come here against a Kildare team who fairly hammered Westmeath last Sunday to move themselves out of relegation trouble.

Tomorrow

(All games 2.30pm unless stated) DIVISION ONE

Dublin v Kilkenny, Parnell Park – Whenever Kilkenny come to Parnell Park it’s fairly unnerving for Dublin, but when they come with two defeats on the trot there is reason to be afraid, very afraid. Brian Cody does not like to make a habit of losing, and having gone down to Tipperary and then Cork in the last two rounds, expect something of a backlash at Parnell Park tomorrow afternoon.

Dublin’s mood won’t be helped by the inexplicable collapse against Offaly the last day. They seemed well in control up until the final quarter. But Anthony Daly is not panicking and in fact has announced an unchanged team, content to give everyone the chance to make their own amends.

Kilkenny are unlikely to have any of the All-Ireland-winning Ballyhale Shamrocks crew back on board, at least not that we know of. That should ensure Dublin are at least competitive, but Kilkenny still simply won’t allow a third defeat on the trot.

Limerick v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds – With Justin McCarthy facing another vote of no confidence next week, this may well be his last game in charge of Limerick. They players he has worked with can’t be faulted, but with three straight defeats, the continued absence of the majority of the 2009 panel, who refuse to play under McCarthy, has simply become intolerable, and thus McCarthy looks destined to go. In the meantime Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy has made eight changes from the team which comfortably beat Galway last Sunday.

Darren Gleeson, Paul Curran, Diarmaid Fitzgerald, David Young, Hugh Maloney, Gearóid Ryan, Micheal Webster and Timmy Hammersley all come into the side – with Young make his league debut, while Hammersley makes his first start, after impressing as a substitute against Galway. Bar an upset of unimaginable proportions Tipperary will walk away with the points.

Waterford v Cork, Walsh Park – It was impossible for Cork manager Denis Walsh to disguise the smile of satisfaction after last Sunday’s two-point win over All-Ireland champions Kilkenny. It wasn’t just a result. It was a statement. Last year’s mauling at the hands of Kilkenny was well and truly in the past.

Cork were back, with a vengeance, and the fact that they stood up to Kilkenny in every sector of the field was in ways a statement of intent for the future.

Even with Kilkenny down to 14-men, Cork nearly always had the measure of them. John Gardiner was back to his best, and substitute Paudie O’Sullivan proved their depth. Now with three wins from three, Walsh looks keen to keep the momentum going, and gives Seán Óg Ó hAilpín his first start of the campaign at left-corner back, where he made his championship debut 14 years ago.

Anthony Nash also takes over in goal, Gardiner moves to midfield, while Kevin Hartnett, Cian McCarthy, Michael Cussen and O’Sullivan all start up front. Eoin Cadogan is also on dual duty.

Waterford eventually had it all their own way against Limerick last weekend, clawing back a brace of goals in the opening quarter.

Davy Fitzgerald is slowly reintroducing his big guns, starting with John Mullane, and nothing would please him more right now than a win over Cork. It’s sure to be tight and very competitive, but Cork are on a roll.

DIVISION TWO

Antrim v Clare, Casement Park – Drawing with Wexford last weekend, having been up by 10 points, was frustrating for Clare but they should regain their momentum even with the tricky visit to Casement Park.

Carlow v Wexford, Dr Cullen Park – Diarmuid Lyng completed Wexford’s superb comeback against Clare last Sunday and they won’t want to undo all that hard work by going down to Carlow.

Laois v Westmeath, Portlaoise – Laois come in fresh from beating Antrim, while Westmeath got a hiding against Kildare. Laois to win.

DIVISION 3A

Derry v Armagh, Celtic Park; London v Kerry, Ruislip, 1.30; Meath v Mayo, Páirc Tailteann. DIVISION 3 B

Donegal v Wicklow, Letterkenny; Roscommon v Fingal, Athleague: Tyrone v Louth, Omagh.

DIVISION FOUR

Cavan v Monaghan, Kingspan Breffni Park; Longford v Leitrim, Pearse Park; South Down v Fermanagh, Leitrim.