1. Dublin need inspiration against Kilkenny
SO FAR IT has been an up-and-down league campaign for Anthony Daly’s Dubs. They have already been beaten twice but they were great last time out in Parnell Park against All-Ireland champions Clare and need another display like that when Kilkenny visit tonight.
The Dubs were superb in both of their championship clashes against the Cats last summer and they require a similar showing in a game where they need points before relegation becomes a reality.
2. Davy looks to turn it around against former friends
Davy Fitzgerald cut his senior managerial cloth with Waterford and now he’s the main man with an All-Ireland title to his credit.
Tomorrow Clare welcome a Déise side in fine form to Ennis, and Davy will be hoping to draw a line under some recent defeats against his old friends.
Waterford took the bragging rights when the sides met in the Championship in June 2012 and again in the league last February. Third time lucky for Davy?
3. Relegation showdown in Salthill
Galway couldn’t have hoped for a better start than crushing Dublin on opening weekend but it has been all downhill since then with defeats against Waterford and Kilkenny.
Tipperary’s form has also nosedived since their win against Waterford with Kilkenny and then Clare taking them apart.
The stakes are high on Sunday then and the loser will be under severe pressure heading into the last round of games.
4. No respite for Whelehan’s Offaly
It has been a tough introduction to management life for Brian Whelehan. The appointment of a Faithful legend was welcomed but it hasn’t gone according to plan so far and Offaly are rooted to the bottom of Division 1B after three games.
It doesn’t get any easier this weekend with promotion-hungry Limerick coming to town tomorrow afternoon.
A relegation showdown against Antrim on the final weekend looks inevitable, and pivotal.
5. Cork need to settle score up north
It’s 316 miles from Páirc Uí Rinn, where Cork played last weekend, to Ballycastle where they play Antrim tomorrow. If they’re to get back to life flying high in Division 1A, the Rebels need a rewarding trip north.
Not only is a win essential but given the fact that promotion rivals Limerick enjoy a superior scoring difference, and they beat Antrim by 23 points, Cork have an obvious points target to aim for too.
