1. Dublin aim to succeed on the road
Away days have not been profitable for most counties in Division 1A so far this season, Clare’s victory in Semple Stadium being the exception. Dublin are in good company then with two away defeats so far after they slipped up against Galway and Waterford. But it’s still something they will want to rectify in the higher division.
On Dublin’s last Division 1A campaign in 2012, they lost their three away games in Pearse Stadium, Nowlan Park and Fraher Field. Last spring may have brought better fortune but the identity of the Division 1B opponents put an asterisk next to the those wins.
On Sunday they head to Thurles and won’t have happy memories of their last league trip there when Tipperary dismissed them by 15 points. A timely opportunity then to ensure they have an enjoyable away day.
2. New face between the posts for Tipperary
Tipperary have made four changes for Sunday’s match with Dublin but one catches the eye in particular. Eleven years after he was in goal on a Munster minor winning team, Darragh Egan makes his debut between the posts for the Tipperary senior hurlers.
Since that 2003 minor triumph, Egan’s career has followed a different path. In 2004 he was full-forward when the Tipp minors won Munster. In 2006 he struck 0-5 when Tipperary lost the All-Ireland U21 final replay against Kilkenny. Four years on, he was on Tipperary’s Liam McCarthy winning panel and bagged a goal in the qualifiers against Wexford.
With Brendan Cummins retirement last autumn, the goalkeeping landscape has changed in Tipperary. Darren Gleeson has been between the posts for Tipperary’s four league games to date but it hasn’t gone smoothly for him or the defence with 12 goals conceded in the last three outings. Kildangan clubman Egan is a terrific shot stopper and will be eager to seize his chance.
3. Shane O’Donnell spearheading Clare’s charge again
Life got a little crazy for Shane O’Donnell after he announced himself to the wider hurling world last September. That tends to happen when a teenager strikes three goals in the first-half of an All-Ireland senior final. After all the mania following Clare’s victory, he began 2014 with a clean slate and a thirst to prove himself again.
He didn’t make an explosive start, held scoreless in Clare’s opening three league games albeit winning frees that were converted against Dublin and restricted to a 20-minute cameo off the bench against Tipperary. Last Sunday, O’Donnell made his mark on the 2014 season in style.
He took the Waterford back line for 2-2, set up goals for Pat Donnellan and Peter Duggan in a terrific overall display. Clare face Galway on Sunday and their All-Ireland hero is back spearheading their charge again.
4. Waterford hope to rekindle memories of last summer
It was a tough day out for Waterford last Sunday. Their defeat to Clare was a chastening experience, particularly the humbling opening period, but they did claw back the deficit admirably in the second-half. Manager Derek McGrath revealed afterwards that they wouldn’t be ‘looking for excuses’ and promised his team would head to Nowlan Park on Sunday to ‘have a cut’ off the Cats.
In the process they will hope to channel the momentum they created from their previous wins at home to Galway and Dublin. Their opponents on Sunday also rekindle memories of last summer’s memorable qualifier in Semple Stadium. Waterford may have lost out after extra-time in that game but the displays of Jamie Nagle, Kevin Moran and Ray Barry hinted at a bright future. They’ll hope to claim a positive result on this occasion.
5. Cork bring back big guns
Cork’s team selection for Sunday’s tie with Wexford indicates that their focus is clear. Jimmy Barry-Murphy has rotated heavily during their Division 1B league campaign. But with the finish line in sight and the prize of Division 1A hurling in the offing, Cork have brought back the big guns.
Anthony Nash returns between the posts, Shane O’Neill to defence with Aidan Walsh and Stephen Moylan introduced to the attack. In all Cork are calling on ten of the team that started last year’s All-Ireland final replay.
Brian Murphy has retired, William Egan has college commitments, injury rules out Conor O’Sullivan and Luke O’Farrell while Cian McCarthy is on the bench. The replacements feature Killian Murphy, Stephen White and Stephen Moylan who all came on as substitutes in last September’s loss to Clare. Brian Lawton and Walsh are the new faces. Cork’s team selection illustrates they are anxious to finish off the job on Sunday.
6. Limerick must do their job
It’s easy for Limerick to have regret this week after they were pegged back last Sunday by Offaly’s late show in Tullamore. That draw has seen them relinquish the initiative in the push for promotion from Division 1B. Limerick have been trying desperately to climb back up to the top tier of league hurling for the past few seasons. It’ll be frustrating if they fall short again.
Their race is not done yet though. They need Wexford to do them a favour on Sunday by getting a result in Páirc Uí Rinn. Limerick have to focus on their own game and defeat Laois to keep them in the running. After that they’ll hope for a favour from Liam Dunne’s side.
