hurling

Preview: Weekend's Allianz Hurling League action

28 February 2025 - 9:54AM

Cork and Kilkenny clash on Saturday in Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

Saturday, March 1

Cork v Kilkenny, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh 5pm (TG4)

Kilkenny are on four points after three matches while Cork are on three points, so this a watershed match in the campaign for both teams.

Win it, and you’re in contention for a League final place. Lose it, and those hopes will diminish.

Cork will be smarting after last weekend’s defeat to Tipperary and keen to put on a show in front of their home supporters.

Kilkenny haven’t played a match since February 8 and will have had a good bank of training in the interim so should be nicely primed for this contest too.

Cork’s form has been a little bit more convincing so far this year than Kilkenny’s and a greater impact from the bench could swing the game their way.

How they stand in Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League.

Wexford v Galway, Chadwicks Wexford Park 5pm

Wexford will have a real pep in their step after winning their first match of the campaign away to Clare last weekend.

If they can make it back to back wins here, then their relegation fears will be allayed somewhat.

Galway’s campaign to off to a disastrous start against Tipperary but they’ve bounced back impressively since then with wins over Kilkenny and Clare.

Their up and coming players are starting to really spread their shoulders, particularly Gavin Lee who has been a revelation since being moved to centre-back.

Anthony Burns also looks like he can add another dimension to their inside forward line.

Wexford are always tough to beat on their home patch and with Lee Chin back in harness all the more so, but Galway’s greater firepower could give them the edge.

Sunday, March 2

Limerick v Clare, TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick 3:45pm (TG4)

With three defeats from three matches, reigning champions Clare are rooted to the bottom of the Division 1A table and very much in the relegation picture.

The last team you want to see coming to town for a must-win game is Limerick, particularly as the Shannonsiders have shown impressive form so far this year.

Up and coming players like Patrick O’Donovan and Aidan O’Connor have really impressed so far this year and brought some real zip to the Limerick attack.

The Clare forward line, in contrast, has yet to click in to gear. These two rivals tend to bring the best from each other and it’s usually a match of fine margins, but Limerick look further down the track than Clare in terms of their match sharpness.

How they stand in Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1B

Sunday, March 2

Carlow v Antrim, Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow 2.30pm

Having already beaten Waterford and drawn with table-toppers Offaly, Carlow will really put themselves in the promotion picture if they can win here.

They haven’t played since February 2 so might be a bit ring-rusty, but you can be sure they’ve gotten a good bank of training in over the last four weeks.

Antrim have suffered heavy defeats to Dublin, Offaly, and Waterford so their self-belief might be somewhat drained by now. Carlow are good enough to take advantage.

Offaly v Westmeath, Glenisk O'Connor Park, Tullamore 2pm

Offaly have gone from strength to strength in this campaign with last week’s rousing victory over Dublin a huge one in the context of the promotion picture.

Every component of their team is clicking into place nicely. Ciaran Burke and Donal Shirley are a dominant spine of the defence, Cathal King and Colin Spain have a good understanding in midfield, and Dan Bourke, Killian Sampson, Oisin Kelly, and Brian Duignan are all in great form in attack.

With Adam Screeney to come back into the mix, Offaly now have impressive firepower.

With three defeats from three it’s been a difficult start to the campaign for Westmeath and this could be another tough day.

Waterford v Dublin, Walsh Park, Waterford 2pm - TG4 app/deferred

This is a huge game in the context of the promotion picture. A win for either will put them in a really good position to reach a League Final. Defeat is likely to end their hopes.

Dublin are probably still wondering how they lost last week’s game to Offaly. They were the dominant team for long stretches but fell away in the last 10 minute after Conor Burke’s dismissal.

Down in the dumps after defeat to Carlow in their first match of the campaign, Waterford have bounced back impressively with wins on the trot over Laois and Antrim.

This is going to be a match of very fine margins and Waterford’s full-forward line of Stephen Bennett, Dessie Hutchinson, and Padraig Fitzgerald could be the difference-makers.

How they stand in Division 2 of the Allianz Hurling League

Allianz Hurling League Division 2

Saturday, March 1

Kerry v Meath, Austin Stack Park, Tralee 3:30pm

Kerry’s promotion hopes were seriously damaged by defeat away to Donegal last weekend and if they lose again here then they’ll be in the relegation mire.

Meath have won both of their matches so far this year but home advantage and Kerry’s injured pride could see the Kingdom produce a big performance.

Sunday, March 2

Down v Tyrone, McKenna Park, Ballycran 2pm

Down have started the season in fine form with three wins from three whereas Tyrone are rooted to the bottom of the table with three defeats in as many games. That form-line favours the Mourne County.

Kildare v Donegal, Cedral St. Conleth's, Newbridge 2pm

Donegal will be buzzing after last weekend’s huge victory over Kerry, but a trip to Kildare looks like a very daunting test.

The Lilywhites have had two big wins over Kerry and Derry in their last two matches and their superior firepower should see them prevail here.

How they stand in Division 3 of the Allianz Hurling League.

Allianz Hurling League Division 3

Sunday, March 2

Sligo v Armagh, Markievicz Park, Sligo 2.30pm

Both teams are pointless so far so this is a must-win game in the scramble to avoid relegation. Sligo have been competitive in every game they’ve played so their form-line is more convincing.

Cavan v Wicklow, Kingspan Breffni, Cavan 2pm

Wicklow have won three matches from four and their only defeat was a one-point loss to table-toppers London. Their superior firepower should see them through here.

Mayo v Roscommon, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 2pm

Mayo will have regrets about last weekend’s loss to London when they showed spirit to battle back in the second-half but left themselves too much to do. With two wins from three games their form has been that bit better than a Roscommon side with one win from three.