Clare face Wexford in the Allianz Hurling League on Sunday.
Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group B
Sunday February 2
Dublin v Laois, Parnell Park, 2pm
Carlow v Kilkenny, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm
Wexford v Clare, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2pm
By Cian O'Connell
In the south east a curious crowd will gather to see whether Wexford and Clare can build on satisfying opening weekend wins.
That Davy Fitzgerald and Brian Lohan patrol the sideline adds another layer of intrigue.
During their days in charge of LIT and UL a coaching rivalry developed between two totemic figures in the Banner.
Fitzgerald's body of work with Wexford is worthy of the utmost praise and respect.
The Leinster Championship triumph last year is the obvious high point, but the manner in which the depth of the Wexford panel has increased leaves them well placed to maintain the standards reached.
Last Sunday Clare, with Tony Kelly the star once again, overpowered Carlow.
The trip to Wexford should be a more revealing fixture.
Walter Walsh, Kilkenny, and David English, Carlow, in action during the 2019 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship encounter at Netwatch Cullen Park.
At Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow face another daunting task when neighbours Kilkenny visit.
Still these are the type of matches Colm Bonnar's charges craved and they will be anxious to summon a defiant display.
Kilkenny, though, with Paddy Deegan and Billy Ryan motoring smoothly enjoyed a productive outing against Dublin even minus a string of established players.
Dublin will be hoping that the familiar and comforting surrounds of Parnell Park can be a factor when facing Laois.
Disappointed to lose in such comprehensive fashion against Kilkenny, Dublin will remember what happened in MW Hire O'Moore Park last summer.
That proved to be a stirring and memorable occasion in the Laois hurling story.
Ultimately it proved to Eddie Brennan's team what can be achieved. Becoming a consistent force is the challenge currently being embraced.
KILKENNY (v Carlow): Eoin Murphy; Ciaran Wallace, Huw Lawlor, Conor Delaney; Michael Cody, Paddy Deegan, Michael Carey; Conor Fogarty, Alan Murphy; Billy Ryan, Walter Walsh, James Maher; Bill Sheehan, Richie Hogan, Ger Aylward.
LAOIS (v Dublin): Enda Rowland; Liam Senior, Ryan Mullaney, Donncha Hartnett; Jack Kelly, Padraig Delaney, Ciaran McEvoy; Fiachra C Fennell, Ciaran Comerford; Aaron Bergin, Paddy Purcell, James Ryan; Ross King, Willie Dunphy, Stephen Bergin.
