1. Clare try to shine on Semple stage
Clare’s vibrant young side have added a lot to the Division 1A fare this spring.
They are still in with a chance of reaching the league semi-finals but must arrest a negative trend at the venue of Sunday’s clash with Tipperary.
Semple Stadium may have been the scene of a glorious U21 triumph for several of Clare’s youngsters last September.
But at senior level they have suffered their share of shattering disappointments.
Thurles has witnessed Clare losing the 2010 and 2012 Munster semi-finals, the 2010 Division 1B hurling league final and last year’s All-Ireland qualifier tie against Limerick.
Sunday will be an ideal opportunity to rectify that pattern and seal a place in the semi-final stages of this year’s league.
2. Galway eye the trapdoor
Last April’s relegation final victory over Dublin paved the way for a season of fine progress for the Galway hurlers.
Their ruthless destruction of Anthony Daly’s side in Portlaoise offered hints that Anthony Cunningham’s team were coming nicely to the boil.
But after going all the way to the Liam McCarthy Cup decider last September, Galway would not have envisaged being potentially back into a relegation showdown in 2013.
They travel to Walsh Park on Sunday after a frustrating campaign that had began brightly with victory over Kilkenny. Now they know they must get something out of their clash with Waterford or they will be in the fight to avoid plummeting to Division 1B.
The St Thomas All-Ireland winning crew are back at Anthony Cunningham’s disposal and he will be hoping they can have a positive impact in a key clash.
Galway boss Anthony Cunningham.
Pic: INPHO/Mike Shaughnessy
3. Kilkenny try to maintain status as league specialists
Having contested eight of the last 11 Division 1 hurling league finals, Kilkenny cannot be accused of not taking the springtime fare seriously.
Brian Cody’s aspirations of seeing his side retain their league crown looked in jeopardy after the opening two rounds where they were felled by Galway and Tipperary.
But they have resuscitated their campaign by grabbing victories over Waterford and Clare. Despite their catalogue of injuries, Cody has blended newcomers into his team and coaxed significant displays out of them.
Victory at home to Cork on Sunday will put them back in familiar territory – challenging for league honours in April.
4. There are many, many Division 1A permutations to wrap your head around
We’re not going to try to spell out all of the potential outcomes from Sunday’s last round of hurling league clashes in the top tier. Considering that all six teams could end up in the semi-final stages and all of them could end up battling in the relegation final, it’s suffice to say anything is possible.
Waterford currently top the table on five points while Clare, Cork, Kilkenny and Tipperary are all on four points, and Galway are bottom of the table on three points.The scoring difference are also equally tight as Waterford are at -3, Clare at +6, Cork at +6, Kilkenny at +2, Tipperary at -1 and Galway at -10.
We could even have the unusual and complicated scenario on Sunday evening of all six teams finishing up on five points on the table if Galway beat Waterford and there are draws in Nowlan Park and Semple Stadium.
It promises to be a hectic afternoon of action with many twists and turns. Best to keep a calculator at the ready.
5. A sobering end to the league for Offaly and Wexford
Barring Carlow, who are pointless and rooted to the bottom of the table, producing a seismic shock in Parnell Park on Sunday, Dublin will advance to contest the final of Division 1B against Limerick.
It will mean the Leinster pair of Offaly and Wexford are consigned to another season in the second tier. For two counties who can still recall the heady days of All-Ireland triumphs, that is a grave disappointment.
Neither looked convincing in winning against relegation-threatened Carlow, Offaly coughed up a winning position against Limerick while Wexford were soundly beaten by Dublin. They will hope to bow out on the league with a spirited performance on Sunday as they seek better championship days in the summer.
