Division 1A
Saturday February 21
Cork v Clare
Sunday February 22
Kilkenny v Dublin
Tipperary v Galway
The possibilities are endless in this Division: anything can happen so the Saturday night meeting of Cork and Clare promises to be edgy because the implications for the loser are severe. Kilkenny were able to eke out a victory from their trip Leeside, Clare will be hoping to do the same. Whoever stays winless will have three demanding games to avoid relegation, the victor can look forward to the rest of the competition with renewed heart and focus.
Kilkenny host Dublin on Sunday with both teams intent on reaching the magic four point mark. To achieve that following two games is decent going in such a highly competitive environment. Despite being without so many familiar faces Kilkenny were streetwise defeating Cork. Dublin's reshaped team got off to a good start against Tipperary at Parnell Park. Nowlan Park against a Kilkenny side sprinkled with enthusiasm is an altogether different proposition.
Galway did enough to overcome Clare, but the trip to Tipp has bothered them previously. Thurles just hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Galway-particularly in the Championship. There was a good attitude about Galway's display when outmuscling Clare. Achieving consistency is now the task, but Tipp crave a positive result too.
Division 1B
Saturday February 21
Waterford v Laois
Sunday February 22
Antrim v Limerick
Offaly v Wexford
Limerick and Waterford's opening night draw means their matches this weekend are stuffed with importance. Waterford host Laois, who were desperately disappointed not to beat Offaly. Another Laois loss would leave them burdened with relegation issues.
TJ Ryan's Limerick face a trek north which will examine both mind and body. Antrim did enough in their Wexford reversal to suggest they will cause more illustrious opposition bother.
Offaly's tussles with Wexford were the talk of the hurling world in the mid nineties. This one mightn't feature such craft, but that doesn't make it any less relevant to those involved. Becoming respected teams again is what they want to do. Getting out of this Division is one way of sorting that.
Division 2A
Saturday February 21
London v Carlow
Sunday February 22
Wicklow v Kerry
Derry v Westmeath
An understrength London were whacked by Westmeath, but Fergus McMahon's panel should be better stocked in Ruislip. With key players returning London will hope to create problems for Carlow, who put up a healthy score when ruthlessly punishing Wicklow.
Kerry were irked by their failure to put Derry away so they will want to post a win over Wicklow. There is a quiet belief in Westmeath that Michael Ryan can pilot a promotion push. Owenbeg is the the type of place to see exactly what they can achieve in the next few months.
Division 2B
Sunday February 22
Armagh v Donegal
Kildare v Down
Mayo v Meath
Division 3A
Fingal v Tyrone
Louth v Fermanagh
Monaghan v Roscommon
