Preview: Weekend’s Allianz Hurling League action:
Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group A
Saturday 10th February
Wexford v Offaly, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 5pm, TG4
A battling Wexford display at UPMC Nowlan Park was rewarded with a share of the spoils. The determined manner in which Keith Rossiter’s charges bodes well.
Conor Foley thundered forward to nail two points from play, while Séamus Casey and Cian Byrne also enjoyed productive moments.
Offaly were eventually beaten by Waterford, but manager Johnny Kelly was optimistic about the spirited display. Integrating so many new players in recent years, Offaly will learn valuable lessons.
Eoghan Cahill remains sharp and accurate in attack, while Brian Duignan also impressed in the Waterford game.
Cork v Kilkenny, Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 7.30pm, RTE
Having lost to Clare in the opening round, Pat Ryan’s Cork outfit will be eager to make a statement against Kilkenny.
The Cats were involved in a lively battle themselves, drawing on home turf with Wexford.
With both counties intent on securing a top three finish, this match promises to be interesting.
Shane Kingston and Patrick Horgan scored heavily for Cork in Ennis, while the emerging Tommy O’Connell was another important performer.
Billy Drennan announced his arrival as a substitute in the Wexford game by clipping a couple of goals from penalties.
Kilkenny, with Adrian Mullen and Eoin Cody involved, will relish this challenge Leeside.
Sunday 11th February
Waterford v Clare, Walsh Park, 1.45pm, TG4
Waterford adequately dealt with Offaly’s challenge in Tullamore, but can expect a stern assignment against Clare.
Stephen Bennett and Seán Walsh struck goals in the Offaly win, while Patrick Curran and Séamus Fitzgerald contributed handsomely too.
Davy Fitzgerald will be hoping for a similar level of performance when his native Clare visit Walsh Park.
Mark Rodgers was in splendid form for Clare in their triumph over Cork, with the versatile Séadna Morey delivering in the second half too.
Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group B
Sunday 11th February
Antrim v Dublin, Corrigan Park, 1.45pm, TG4 Player/App
Following disappointing losses last week Antrim and Dublin will both want to summon instant responses.
Limerick, with several players eager to impress, were far too strong for Antrim, who should be primed for this encounter.
Darren Gleeson’s outfit will be looking to Conal Cunning for attacking inspiration, while Fred McCurry scored 1-1 against Limerick.
Cian O’Sullivan and substitute Fergal Whitely impressed for Dublin, who were soundly beaten by Tipperary. Micheál Donoghue’s charges will be striving to produce a better performance this weekend.
Westmeath v Limerick, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm
Emerging Limerick players blended nicely with some established names when Antrim were defeated in Thurles in the opening round.
John Kiely is likely to continue with a similar approach in the midlands against Westmeath, who were defeated by Galway.
Adam English, Shane O’Brien, and Donncha Ó Dálaigh starred in Limerick’s win over Antrim.
David Williams rifled over seven points for Westmeath against Galway, but Joe Fortune’s team face another daunting task when the All-Ireland champions visit Mullingar.
Tipperary v Galway, FBD Semple Stadium, 3.45pm, TG4
Liam Cahill wants Tipperary to develop significantly in 2024.
So, this is the precisely the kind of environment the Tipperary manager will want to monitor how his blue and gold team is progressing.
Tipperary were slick against Dublin at Parnell Park, while Galway cruised to a convincing win over Westmeath.
Evan Niland, Jason Flynn, Gavin Lee, and Tom Monaghan scored nicely for Galway in the Westmeath success.
Gearoid O’Connor continues to accumulate healthy tallies, while Jake Morris’ 1-4 in the Dublin victory was another encouraging aspect for Tipperary.
Allianz Hurling League Division 2A
Saturday 10th February
Down v Kerry, Ballycran, 1pm, BBC iPlayer & GAAGO
Both counties suffered opening weekend defeats so this match is hugely significant.
Carlow enjoyed an impressive win over Kerry in Tralee, while a spirited Down effort just fell short against Laois.
Pearse Óg McCrickard and Tim Prenter impressed in that fixture for Down, while Fionn MacKessy continues to impress in the Kerry jersey.
Sunday 11th February
Carlow v Meath, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm
Impressive victories last weekend ensure Carlow and Meath enter this clash heartened.
Chris Nolan and Marty Kavanagh inspired Carlow to an encouraging triumph over Kerry.
Meath, though, made a statement of their own when overcoming Kildare with Nicky Potterton and Padraig O’Hanrahan influential.
Kildare v Laois, Manguard Park, Hawkfield, 2pm
Jer Quinlan’s 1-3 haul was vital as Laois defeated Down in the first round.
Kildare suffered a disappointing loss to Meath so the Lilywhites will be primed for this encounter on home turf.
Jack Sheridan did contribute seven points for Kildare, who will want to summon an instant response against a well regarded Laois outfit.
Allianz Hurling League Division 2B
Saturday 10th February
Donegal v Derry, Letterkenny, 2.30pm
Enthusiastic following solid opening weekend wins, Donegal host Derry in an important fixture.
Derry defeated Tyrone 2-20 to 0-16, while Donegal cruised to a convincing 2-23 to 0-13 success over Wicklow.
Liam McKinney starred for Donegal in that match, while Derry will be hoping for scoring contributions from Cormac O’Doherty and Rúairí Ó Mianáin.
Sunday 11th February
London v Wicklow, McGovern Park, 1pm
Jonathan O’Neill has only recently been installed as Wicklow manager so they endured a demanding assignment against Donegal.
Wicklow, who should improve in the coming weeks and months, will also be aware that this is a tricky task in Ruislip.
Despite losing to Roscommon, London were gritty throughout and will be eager to produce a similar performance at McGovern Park.
Tyrone v Roscommon, Carrickmore, 2pm
Kevin Sammon’s first match in charge of Roscommon concluded with a win over London.
Paddy Fallon impressed for Roscommon, who travel to Carrickmore to face Tyrone.
The Red Hands will be striving to pocket some points following last week’s reversal against Derry.
Allianz Hurling League Division 3A
Saturday 10th February
Cavan v Louth, Kingspan Breffni, 2pm
Cavan were defiant at Markievicz Park, but eventually lost a high scoring thriller against Sligo.
Louth, prompted by John Casey, were involved in an entertaining encounter too, overcoming Monaghan 4-14 to 1-20.
Sunday 11th February
Monaghan v Mayo, Castleblayney, 1pm
David Kenny’s excellence helped Mayo earn a crucial victory over Armagh.
Now the challenge for Mayo is to deliver against Monaghan, who lost out narrowly to Louth with Niall Arthur accurate, once again.
Armagh v Sligo, Crossmaglen, 2pm
The O’Kelly-Lynch brothers remain instrumental figures for Sligo, who made a winning start.
Armagh were beaten in Castlebar by Mayo so this fixture is hugely significant for the home side in Crossmaglen.
Allianz Hurling League Division 3B
Saturday 10th February
Longford v Warwickshire, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 1pm
Reuben Murray was a key contributor as Longford drew with Lancashire.
Warwickshire, with Jack Grealish effective, also divided the spoils with Leitrim, underlining how competitive this division is.
Leitrim v Fermanagh, Ballinamore, 2pm
Leitrim earned a point against Warwickshire at Páirc Na hÉireann so this will be a crucial match against Fermanagh.
The first round illustrated that all the teams involved can make an impact at this level, and Fermanagh will want to demonstrate their ability.