Three things to watch for in the NHL this weekend

Peter McNamara looks some of the likely talking points this weekend in the Allianz Hurling League.

Three things to watch for in the NHL this weekend

Jimmy Barry Murphy and Cork face a tough test in Croke Park

Peter McNamara looks some of the likely talking points this weekend in the Allianz Hurling League.

1 Dublin v Cork (5pm, Saturday, Croke Park)

Ger Cunningham has Dublin implementing a very specific stick-passing game thus far in 2015 and it has been beneficial in the Walsh Cup final and two league matches they have contested.

Against Galway, Tipperary and Kilkenny Dublin have been producing slick stick-work to complement their intelligent movement.

However, when we think of the sides it has been productive against we primarily think of ‘power’.

However, there is reason to suggest Cork are a slightly more athletic outfit and if Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s unit can bring similar levels of intensity to Croke Park as they did in dismantling Clare at Páirc Uí Rinn, it is likely Dublin will have far less time in possession.

Therefore, can Cunningham’s side perform with an increased tempo again to avoid being suffocated in their attempts to develop plays?

And, indeed, can the Rebels reach such heights again?

Verdict: Dublin.

Will Matthew Ruth excel on Sunday?

2 Galway v Kilkenny (2pm, Sunday, Pearse Stadium)

Galway boss Anthony Cunningham is talking the talk this week suggesting his soldiers are bulling for the opportunity to lower Kilkenny’s masts in front of their own supporters.

However, will his players walk the walk?

Notoriously, the Tribesmen tend to flatter to deceive on occasions such as these so there will be no Galway supporter venturing to Pearse Stadium willing to hold their breath.

And there is little evidence to suggest Galway will be any less enigmatic than they are renowned for being this year based on what we have seen to date.

On the flipside of the coin, Brian Cody will be keen for the Cats to recover from their loss to Dublin.

In Matthew Ruth Kilkenny possess an underrated goalscorer.

Look out for how the Ballyragget native ghosts into threatening areas virtually unnoticed.

He could find the net again.

Verdict: Kilkenny.

Davy Fitzgerald will be looking for an improved performance from his side in Ennis.

3 Clare v Tipperary (2pm, Sunday, Cusack Park, Ennis)

The key issue here is, has Davy Fitzgerald, during the two-week break, had sufficient time to evaluate the areas in which Clare have shown weaknesses in their two league ties played in the division?

It might have been a once-off, but it was extremely unusual to witness a side managed by the Sixmilebridge clubman fold as tamely as they did when Cork upped the ante at Páirc Uí Rinn.

As soon as the Leesiders increased their intensity levels after Luke O’Farrell rifled a shot to the back of Patrick Kelly’s net in the first-half, Clare wilted alarmingly.

Of course, the unavailability of Tony Kelly has been hugely influential in determining how the Banner fares in his absence.

However, Fitzgerald will be calling on others to feed off their ferocious rivalry with Tipp and use it to produce a performance of substance.

Verdict: Clare.

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