Compiled by SEAN MORAN

TODAY

Matches at 7.0

NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE, DIVISION ONE A

Cork v Waterford (Páirc Uí Rinn, Live, Setanta Ireland) – The number of survivors from the 1999 All-Ireland winning side outnumber debutants in Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s first league team of the season. Ross Cashman becomes the latest graduate of the 2009 intermediates although they’ve yet to threaten the sort of success enjoyed by their 1997 predecessors, led by new captain Donal Cusack. The big issue this season will centre on the attack, where the team has lacked impact in recent years and where the fulfilment of Conor Lehane’s promise will be so important. An experimental centrefield sees the return of Seán Ó hAilpín 16 years after his first senior appearance to partner Darren Sweetnam on his selection just out of the minor grade.

New Waterford manager Michael Ryan, the first indigenous incumbent since the year of Ó hAilpín’s debut, has had his own difficulties although John Mullane’s absence for reasons of regeneration isn’t too surprising given his activity levels in recent years with club and county. Waterford have been looking at a recycling policy of their own at centrefield with some recent positive signs from former forward Paul O’Brien in the middle. None the less Cork to make home advantage count.

DIVISION ONE B

Limerick v Clare (Gaelic Grounds, Deferred, Setanta Ireland) – The counties’ two matches earlier this month in the pre-season Munster Cup were decided by a point in the 172nd minute after a draw, two periods of extra time and a replay. David Fitzgerald fielded a very experimental side in the second match and saw Clare surprisingly win.

John Allen has said that he has found training difficult with the number of players involved in Fitzgibbon activity and Na Piarsaigh’s involvement in the club championship in the pre-season but as a result has been able to trial a good few new faces.

Clare have long-term injury absentees in Pat Vaughan and Darrach Honan for a match that is unusually important for a opening fixture. Limerick are missing Séamus Hickey, who’s set to sit out most of the league. Home advantage and a more convincing attack can earn Limerick the valuable points.

TOMORROW

Matches at 2.30 unless stated

NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE,  DIVISION ONE A

Galway v Dublin (Pearse Stadium) – A testing year for both teams, as Dublin need to reinforce the status earned last year by winning this competition. New Galway manager Anthony Cunningham makes a gung-ho selection featuring eight of his All-Ireland winning under-21s, as he looks to build for the future.

The old issue of the spine of the team will be the main focus of the refurbishment but once again solutions are being sought in redeployment. David Collins, at full back, Fergal Moore, the new captain and centre back and Cyril Donnellan at centrefield are all redeployments whereas up front the one nailed-down presence, Joe Canning, is nursing an injury that keeps him out for the first few weeks of the league.

Dublin have their own woes, as cruciate injury continues to deprive them of Stephen Hiney, Tomás Brady and Conal Keaney and shorter-term ailments prevent David O’Callaghan and Paul Schutte from lining out.

There was better news in the availability of Liam Rushe and Peter Kelly. Dublin’s aerial power and physical aggression buttressed last year’s progress and against a young, evolving team, whose frailties were exposed by Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup final, may be enough to take the points tomorrow.

Kilkenny v Tipperary (Nowlan Park) – Last year’s damp squib to open the league was a disappointment given the expectations created by the rivalry but tomorrow takes on an urgency for Tipp.

The pallor of last September’s defeat and the uncertainty created by Lar Corbett’s retirement have come as stark reminders that maintaining a meaningful rivalry with Kilkenny will require more than what could end up as isolated flash-fire.

Declan Ryan has introduced plenty of change to the team and tries out two newcomers and parks Brendan Cummins and Eoin Kelly.

David Young starts at centrefield but allowing he has the heft and spirit for resistance, will he have the mobility and other weaponry required?

Kilkenny rarely have any difficulty in getting what they want from a league campaign while also progressing in the competition – they’ve been in seven of the past 10 finals – and this year will hardly be any different.

Despite the run of retirements the All-Ireland champions won’t be missing any of this season’s likely starters even if the panel depth is affected. Tipp need it more but may not get it.

DIVISION ONE B

Antrim v Wexford, (Casement Park, 1.30) – Wexford are surprisingly short odds for this despite previous difficulties up north and some scratchy form of late but Antrim are short the Loughgiel players and Liam Dunne can pick up his first points as manager.

Offaly v Laois (Tullamore) – Teddy McCarthy’s side had a couple of good outings in the Walsh Cup whereas Offaly didn’t but with home advantage and the experience of playing at a higher level last year, Ollie Baker should earn his first points of the season.

DIVISION TWO A

Westmeath v Kerry (Mullingar) – The Westmeath revolution – Brian Hanley’s first full year and the returned dual players – to fire its first shots.

Wicklow v Derry (Aughrim) – Home advantage to swing it for Wicklow after some very competitive meetings last year.

Carlow v Down( Dr Cullen Park, 2.0) Carlow lost out badly on the re-drawn divisions but can get off to a good start here.

DIVISION TWO B

Meath v Kildare, (Páirc Tailteann); Roscommon v Mayo, (Athleague); London v Armagh, (Ruislip).

DIVISION THREE A:

Tyrone v Sligo (Omagh); Monaghan v Donegal (Clones); Louth v Fingal (Darver).

M DONNELLY INTERPROVINCIAL SF FINAL Ulster v Munster (Morgan Athletic Grounds, Armagh) – Munster put up a fine collective display against Leinster last week but will struggle with playing away as well as the driven opposition, who can stretch their lead at the top of the roll of honour.

SCHOOLS HARTY CUP FINAL Nenagh CBS v Coláiste na nDéise (Leahy Park, Cashel, 2.30) – Nenagh, in search of a first Harty after three final defeats in the 1990s, have gone through the winners of the past three titles, Limerick’s Ardscoil Rís and Thurles CBS. There will be first-time winners whatever the outcome. The Dungarvan collective lost their only final to St Flannan’s eight years ago and are favourites tomorrow.