Saturday National Hurling League All matches at 2.30pm unless stated Division One B: Limerick v Tipperary, Semple Stadium - A great deal has changed since the sides met last year. Predictably both managers are experimenting and Michael Doyle shuffles more than a third of the team that overwhelmed an under-strength Offaly in the first outing.
Limerick's more testing opener against Cork will have been of greater use in preparing for this but Tipp have a strong combination on duty and should win.
Offaly v Derry, Birr, 1.30 - It must have seemed like a handy break for Michael McNamara that this match was scheduled before St Patrick's Day, but the absence of the Birr players ahead of the club final looks more acute after Derry's robust showing against Wexford. Still, the home side should get off the mark this afternoon.
Division Two A
Antrim v Roscommon, Casement Park - Antrim will continue their inexorable progress.
Division Two B
Kerry v Carlow, Tralee, 3.30 - Big winners the first week, Kerry to make it two out of two.
Sunday
All matches at 2.30pm unless stated
National Hurling League
Division One A
Dublin v Clare, Parnell Park, 12.45 - Some ugly memories for the Dubs of their supine display in last summer's qualifiers but there is a new spirit abroad so this should be more competitive. Clare are trialling at the moment but can still send out a team nearly half of whom have All-Ireland medals. Dublin's display against Galway was committed but limited and they'll be up against it again tomorrow.
Kilkenny v Galway, Nowlan Park (Live TG4) - Injuries to Henry Shefflin and DJ Carey have handicapped Kilkenny but the early-year impetus of champions and the talent coming through are keeping the holders buoyant. Galway were sluggish enough against Dublin and Conor Hayes rings up the changes.
Laois v Waterford, Portlaoise, 1.00 - Dismal first outings for both teams, although Waterford will welcome back the Mount Sion players and although the confines of O'Moore Park won't suit their style, the Munster champions should win.
Division One B
Wexford v Cork, Wexford Park, 2.15 - Big news from Cork concerned Diarmuid O'Sullivan whose, hmmm, departure from the football panel was followed by his being dropped from the hurling team. A good bit done, a lot more to do, etc. The visitors look a better prospect on the basis that a scrappy win over Limerick is better than a laboured win over Derry.
Division Two A
Westmeath v Down, Mullingar - Good chance of an away win.
Division Two B
Wicklow v Meath, Arklow - One of Meath's trickier stops on the road back to the top.
Division Three A
Sligo v Armagh, Markievicz Park; Mayo v Leitrim, Knockmore, 3.00
Division Three B
Monaghan v Cavan, Monaghan Town; Louth v Fermanagh, Knockbridge.
National Football League
Division One A
Tyrone v Armagh, Omagh - Peter Canavan starts his first match of the campaign. Had he not been injured when the counties met in the championship last May, might the summer have taken a different course? Tyrone have a chance to make their case tomorrow. Joe Kernan has every reason to be pleased with the powerful start to the league but the big test for defending champions comes later in the year. Tyrone have been under-strength and uneven so far but this will have a particular resonance for them and NFL matches between Ulster counties can be unpredictable. Home win.
Donegal v Kerry, Ballyshannon, 2.00 - Lose this and Donegal's 15-year tenancy in the top division will be nearly up. It's been a difficult season for Brian McEniff with player uncertainty and the nagging anxiety that the team might have over-achieved last year, but there were signs that things were coming together last week in the side's best performance to date. Kerry are examining the conveyor belt, probably as much with an eye on strengthening the panel as the first team. Overall the effect has been mixed but could be sufficient for tomorrow.
Galway v Roscommon, Ballinasloe - Inconsistent campaigns for both counties - which constitutes a disappointment for Galway but something of a relief for Roscommon who were hot favourites to find the campaign a consistent struggle. None the less Galway look likely to bounce back from last week's narrow defeat and assert their superior firepower.
Dublin v Cork, Parnell Park - Plenty of laboratory work in both camps. Dublin's selection has been largely dependent on the Sigerson exploits of UCD, reflecting Tommy Lyons's investment in youth.
All the forwards scored from play last week and could have had more but for indecision in the construction of attacks and a poor enough supply. Cork have looked sharp at home and not great away but Larry Tompkins will be encouraged by the contributions of a variety of new forwards and could whip the points here.
Division One B
Down v Cavan, Newry - Cavan have looked very good for the most part except in the defeat by Fermanagh. Down have done better than expected although they now find themselves in relegation position after Wednesday's GAC meeting. But it won't take too much of Cavan's second-half form last week to take the points.
Fermanagh v Meath, Enniskillen - This is a fixture in which Meath have a poor record. The question is whether they can get as worked up as they managed to do against Kildare. It's about time for Sean Boylan's team to tip the pedal and ensure survival in this division, something - whatever about future challenges - well within their capabilities. Fermanagh won't find it as easy as against a weakened Kildare last week but can still win.
Mayo v Kildare, Ballina - Disappointing results for Mayo last week and less conventionally for Kildare last Wednesday. The GAC's decision to take the points off Padraig Nolan's team because of an obscure rule was letter-of-the-law stuff but wouldn't happen under the new proposals of the Disciplinary Rules and Procedures Sub-committee. After a good start to the year in the O'Byrne Cup Kildare have picked up injuries and fallen away and now face relegation. Mayo however have one eye on Crossmolina's club final and might be vulnerable.
Laois v Sligo, Portlaoise - Sligo-Kildare fixtures should in future be conducted as moots. In the meantime, Sligo's acumen in the committee room has doubled their points' tally and hoists them back into play-off contention. Laois lead the table but without having dazzled whereas Sligo's lowly status was partly caused by the misfortune of three one-point defeats (well, two now). This could be a first defeat for the home side.
Division Two A
Westmeath v London, Rochford Bridge - The teams start top and bottom in the division and will finish that way, only more so.
Antrim v Louth, Casement Park - Good draw for Antrim last week in Offaly but Louth can still come away with a win.
Leitrim v Wicklow, Carrick-on-Shannon - Leitrim have been performing feistily, as can be seen from their minus five scoring difference despite having only two points from four matches. Wicklow are in the same position with a scoring difference of minus 34. Home win.
Limerick v Offaly, Kilmallock - Touched off in the top-of-the-table clash last week, Limerick must win this. Having beaten the same opposition in the championship, losing would be demoralising for the home side. They should win.
Division Two B
Carlow v Derry, Dr Cullen Park, 1.30 - With only one slip-up behind them, Derry should maintain their upwards movement in this.
Longford v Clare, Pearse Park, 1.00 - On current form it has to be Longford whose forwards should rack up the needful.
Monaghan v Waterford, Clones, 1.00 - Depressing campaign for Monaghan with injuries an insurmountable handicap, but they should still manage this.
Wexford v Tipperary, Wexford Park, 3.45 - Wexford must getting near that vertigo stage but, playing as soundly as they are, should stay top after this.
