Every contender for September honours will be in action this weekend
At no other stage will the best hurling sides in the country come together over 24 hours. The Q-final weekend of the Allianz League features eight sides looking to prolong their season, while for four teams the aim of survival is at the forefront of their minds. Last night Dublin booked their place in the league semi’s after a big win over Limerick, while Laois secured their Division 1 status with a win over Antrim.
Allianz Hurling League Quarter-finals
Sunday: Cork v Wexford, Pairc Ui Rinn; 4pm
Cork should have beaten Tipperary last week. To lose a 12-point lead is unforgivable and once again shows that defensively the Rebels are weak. That frailty is sure to have been raised more than once at training this week and could be the wake-up call needed ahead of the latter stages of the league.
Wexford’s loss to Waterford last week was massively disappointing for the Leinster side. Their neighbours were too sharp in all sectors and how Liam Dunne will get the players to raise their morale seven days after missing an opportunity for promotion could prove difficult.
Wexford’s goal threat let them down badly last week which was their undoing. Until last Sunday they had 13 goals in just five games. Cork’s more potent forward line should see them to victory unless Wexford rediscover that goal-touch.
Waterford v Galway, Walsh Park; 4pm
Two of the great enigmas of GAA clash in a game that could be the making of one of these sides seasons. Waterford are bubbling along nicely under Derek McGrath who has seen his side blossom in Division 1B this season. With promotion secured their league campaign is already a success, regardless of what happens Sunday.
Galway in contrast were expected to struggle but could afford to ease off last week which saw Dublin steal in to secure the last Q-final place. Galway still have problems at three and six but up front they may finally have found someone to take the pressure of Joe Canning. 2015 is a big season for Jason Flynn – if he performs the Westerners may have a profitable season.
Waterford are the only unbeaten side ahead of the Q-finals and with the momentum of promotion, as well as a tight defence, they should make it to the last four.
Offaly v Tipperary, O’Connor Park Sunday 3pm
On the balance of where these sides finished in their league campaigns this should be a massive mis-match. Tipperary, despite losing on day one, topped the standings while Offaly, in the midst of some impressive wins, finished fourth and drew the shortest of straws in the pairings.
It appears at least that Brian Whelahan has his side in better shape than when the counties last met in 2014 in the All-Ireland series as Tipperary demolished their neighbours by 5-25 to 1-20. Three wins from five in Division 1B has restored some confidence that the Faithful County could be on the way back but that may come to a halt this Sunday.
Tipperary will leak scores and Offaly can profit from some defensive mix ups that may take a little while longer to eradicate but expect a Premier win.
Relegation play-offs
Sunday: 1A: Kilkenny v Clare, Nowlan Park. 2pm
Fans of both sides would do well to remember the 2013 league relegation play off. Clare and Cork both met later that autumn in Croke Park despite their Spring form. So Sunday’s result is not fatal to any sides chances of championship glory.
However what could be fatal for Clare would be relegation to fuel to the already smouldering fire of discontent across the county at the last number of weeks. With no Brendan Bugler, Clare lack the fist-pumping leader required to stem the tide of Kilkenny’s physical dominance around the middle. No Colm Galvin or Conor McGrath also robs Clare of an edge they desperately have been searching for since that All-Ireland success.
Brian Cody will be able to recall his A-list stars from Ballyhale and it should be most interesting to see where he deploys them. Joey Holden is likely to be given the chance at full-back while the Fennellys will add a strength and core to a side that has been somewhat lacking in steel this league campaign. TJ Reid’s return will improve their scoring and with Richie Hogan rested last week, Kilkenny’s attack should be too hot to handle for a leaky Clare rearguard
Privately Brian Cody would be aghast if Kilkenny were to be demoted. Their B side beat Clare by a point last week. Expect the A-Team to engineer to win by a more solid margin.
