Division 1A
Tipperary v Dublin
(Saturday, Semple Stadium, 7pm, live on Setanta Ireland)
HAVING made such a notable return from illness in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final against Galway, Noel McGrath comes into the Tipperary starting line-up for Michael Ryan’s first league match in charge of the Premier county. Seamus Callanan misses out with a finger injury.
Dublin will be without some big names for the league, including Danny Sutcliffe, who has opted out. Conal Keaney hasn’t decided on whether he will return to the squad or not, but his interest is with the Ballyboden footballers on Saturday anyway.
Odds: H: 4/7 D: 10/1 A: 7/4
Verdict: Tipperary
Galway v Cork
(Sunday, Pearse Stadium, 2pm)
GIVEN the dramatic nature of Anthony Cunningham’s departure last year, after the players made it clear they did not want him to continue in the role, the spotlight will be on Galway from the off. New manager Michael Donoghue knows a solid league campaign would smooth the transition and he has named an experienced side to start.
Cork are chasing a first league title since 1998 and management have already stressed they’ll be taking it very seriously this season.
Odds: H: 8/11 D: 10/1 A: 11/8
Verdict: Draw
Waterford v Kilkenny
(Sunday, Walsh Park, 2pm, live on TG4)
WINNERS from Division 1B last year, Waterford will face a trickier path to the last eight this time around. Their element of surprise has slipped away, but Derek McGrath will have confidence in his young players after last season’s exploits.
Kilkenny simply have to be rusty. They played an almost unrecognisable side in the Walsh Cup and Eddie Brennan managed the side rather than Brian Cody. That could show on Sunday.
Odds: H: 6/4 D: 10/1 A: 4/6
Verdict: Waterford
Division 1B
Limerick v Wexford
(Saturday, Gaelic Grounds, 7pm, live on Setanta Sports 1)
JACK GUINEY returns to the Wexford side after being dropped last June for disciplinary issues. Manager Liam Dunne will be without Conor McDonald, Paul Morris, Shane Tomkins and Diarmuid O’Keefe though.
Limerick manager TJ Ryan has said nothing, but promotion will do and they should get off to the perfect start on Saturday night.
Odds: H: 3/10 D: 12/1 A: 3/1
Verdict: Limerick
Clare v Offaly
(Sunday, Cusack Park, 2pm)
OPTIMISM is high in Clare as the Davy Fitzgerald-Donal Og Cusack partnership gets ready to take on the league. They already collected the Munster version in January and are highly fancied to make an immediate return to Division 1A.
Eamonn Kelly, who performed so well with Kerry last year, is in charge of Offaly this year and has handed Colin Egan the captaincy.
Odds: H: 1/16 D: 20/1 A: 8/1
Verdict: Clare
Laois v Kerry
(Sunday, Portalaoise, 2pm)
ANTRIM’S misery was Kerry’s gain last year and the Kingdom are ready to fight against a return to Division 2A. Their workrate and skill level was very high during the Munster League and, if they are going to pick up points, this is a golden chance to do so.
Laois have had a huge turnover of players from last season, but Seamus Plunkett’s side should get off to a winning start at home.
Odds: H: 2/7 D: 10/1 A: 10/3
Verdict: Laois
