Three things for hurling fans to keep an eye on this weekend
By Peter McNamara
Kilkenny are renowned for flooring opponents that are struggling on the ropes. It has been one of their more admirable traits.
After all, there is absolutely no sentiment at this level of sport.
Galway, despite being guaranteed a spot in the last eight of the competition, could send Dublin into a relegation play-off against the Cats, if Brian Cody’s unit lose to Clare and the Tribesmen defeat Ger Cunningham’s men.
If Galway really want to be considered a side to fear, taking opportunities to potentially bury one of their rivals in Leinster, when they do not have to be at full tilt, will go a long way to achieving that goal.
Sometimes, you can measure the true worth of a team when victory is not a necessity.
If a full-strength Kilkenny were in Galway’s position on Sunday you would expect Dublin to be beaten.
The likely collision of Stephen McDonnell and Seamus Callanan at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday could offer us an insight into how a possible tussle in the provincial championship could develop between the two during the summer.
Both Cork and Tipperary are disputing Munster SHC's outright favouritism and could meet in the provincial decider.
With Christopher Joyce now unfortunately out of the reckoning for Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s outfit, the strong indications are McDonnell will retain his place at full-back on a longer basis.
How he handles Callanan, an attacker in the hottest of form – the Drom & Inch operator has 2-21 to his name in the league thus far representing the fourth-highest scoring return of any player – could determine who finishes on top of Division 1A this weekend.
Physically, Callanan is incredibly robust and will test the Glen Rovers’ clubman’s qualities to their limit.
Wexford’s titanic clash with Waterford in Division 1B should draw a massive crowd to Innovate Wexford Park and the masses should be in for a high-scoring treat served up by two teams boiling with confidence.
If Derek McGrath’s Déise troops avoid a loss to their neighbours, Waterford will be back in the top-tier next term.
There was 5-30 scored in the championship meeting of the sides last summer and another frantic tie is anticipated on this forthcoming occasion.
Wexford have accumulated match totals of 1-24, 2-15, 3-18 and 5-22 while Waterford have registered tallies of 0-22, 3-21, 2-18 and 4-30.
Jack Guiney has represented Wexford’s greatest scoring contributor with 2-18 and Pauric Mahony is presently the second-highest scorer of the top two tiers having struck 1-43.
The impact of Guiney and Mahony could be promotion-defining for either side in a rip-roaring encounter.
