Advertisement
Shane O'Donnell was part of an impressive Clare attack. Ken Sutton/INPHO
Analysis

5 talking points from this weekend’s hurling league games

Our thoughts on Clare’s attacking excellence, the performance of Dublin’s Danny Sutcliffe and more.

Clare unleash their attacking potential

Any doubts about Clare’s condition for the 2014 season after sweeping to glory last September have been dispelled over the past two weekends. Putting 4-15 past Tipperary was impressive, chalking up that total in the first-half alone against Waterford yesterday was even more so.

They have now registered 9-33 in their last two games and sit at the top of the Division 1A table. It is their goalscoring potential that makes Clare most dangerous at present, a point exemplified yesterday by the boost they received from the returning Shane O’Donnell and Podge Collins. Watching Clare in full flow in the opening period in Ennis demonstrated how important it will be for opponents to quell their attack.

The value of home advantage

There’s been 12 games played to date in Division 1A of the hurling league and so far 11 of the victories have gone the way of the home team. The solitary exception has been Clare’s  rewarding trip to Thurles when they defeated Tipperary by 4-15 to 0-20.

The pattern has made it difficult to read form and means teams like Kilkenny, Waterford, Dublin and Galway will all be pleased that they have made a fortress on their home patch yet have struggled when hitting the road. In that sense is the advantage with Tipperary, Kilkenny and Clare who are all at home for the final round of games next Sunday?

Tipperary battling the drop

In theory five teams could make the drop to Division 1B next Sunday but right now it is Tipperary who are most in danger of being relegated. Their league campaign may have began with a positive victory over Waterford but three losses on the bounce since then have meant it has been a tough spring to date for Eamon O’Shea’s men.

They entertain Dublin next Sunday in Thurles in desperate need of points. Clearly there is an urgent requirement to stop leaking goals. Conceding three more yesterday means they have shipped 12 in their last three games. Galway’s blast to the net before half-time yesterday from Niall Healy, Conor Cooney and Jonathan Glynn essentially settled the contest despite Seamus Callanan doing his best to inspire Tipperary in attack in the second-half.

Sutcliffe shines for Dublin

Claiming the points on Saturday night for Dublin was vital and they owed a debt of gratitude to Danny Sutcliffe for his input to their victory. Sutcliffe’s goal in the 31st minute of the game when the ball deceived David Herity may have been fortuitous but he showed class in everything else he did.

By the end the St Judes player had 1-5 to his name and affirmed why he was Allstar material last summer. Dublin needed his showing given Kilkenny’s second-half comeback and will hope he can maintain that form.

Late scores in Ballycastle and Tullamore could be vital

Midway through yesterday’s Division 1B league action, the promotion pendulum looked to have swung in Limerick’s direction. They were ahead of Offaly in Tullamore as Cork were losing to Antrim in Ballycastle while Limerick also enjoyed a superior scoring difference.

But a flurry of late scores in both venues look like they will be crucial. Peter Geraghty’s goal and Joe Bergin’s point rescued a draw for Offaly. Patrick Cronin, Conor Lehane and Patrick Horgan flighted over the points to snatch a win for Cork. Those finales look like they will shape the outcome with Cork now in pole position.

LIVE: Portumna v Mount Leinster Rangers, AIB All-Ireland SHC club final>

Kevin Heffernan’s sister sends best wishes to St Vincent’s team from Bahrain>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
2
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.