Fitzgibbon Cup commitments probably weighed more on this pair than any other counties. As much as Liam Cahill and John Kiely appreciate the competition is, as Brian Ryan says, “a rite of passage” for young players, their exposure to county training in recent weeks would have been limited. The likes of Oisin O’Donoghue and Shane O’Brien will benefit from concentrating their efforts on the one effort, but it won’t be long before O’Donoghue has his focus divided on U20. Most of the gang are now back for Tipperary and they have to embrace the expectation that follows them. Limerick to push them to the brink. Verdict: Tipperary.
A divisional table hardly lies but Wexford’s six points don’t describe the campaign to this point. They were blessed in the opening two rounds although they finished well against Carlow with Lee Chin leading again. Dublin should be still kicking themselves over letting the game in Ennis on day one slip away from them. They have more depth than Wexford as much as Liam Ryan’s return is a welcome one for the visitors. Dublin to display their credentials for a final berth. Verdict: Dublin.
What can be we judge Kildare on – the no-show in Parnell Park or the superb display in Newbridge the following week? The truth may lay somewhere in between but they are coming up a side who are fish out of water and want back in the pool. Brian Lohan will utilise his squad once more while retaining enough household names to ensure the job is done to his standard. Verdict: Clare.
This may very well end up being the final pairing, although Westmeath may have something to say about that before the end of next month. Laois have been incredibly sharp and Kerry will be hoping to deliver a performance that keeps them within touching distance in the closing stages. Verdict: Laois.
Averaging over 35 points a game thus far, Donegal should have too much in their arsenal for Armagh. Verdict: Donegal.
Relegation is beginning to loom for both teams but Tyrone at leasy have a win to their name and can add another. Verdict: Tyrone.
Two of their four teams currently on four points at the top of the table. Louth know they need to give a display to avoid being left behind but Roscommon are doing a lot of things right. Verdict: Roscommon.
Cavan have been on the right and wrong side of matter thus far but this game should yield another two points. Verdict: Cavan.
Top against bottom of the table and the outcome is almost inevitable. Verdict: Sligo.
Both sides are on two points after three games but Leitrim’s defence isn’t as leaky as their opponents’s. Verdict: Leitrim.
Waterford’s endeavour and Cork’s depleted side made for that opening day defeat for Ger Manley’s side. They can bounce back with a win here. Verdict: Cork.
Kilkenny’s tight win over Galway was a great fillip but Tipperary were hardly troubled in their opening win over Antrim. Verdict: Tipperary.
Wexford had it so easy against Offaly but Clare will be heartened from coming away from Dublin with a point. Verdict: Clare.
Down will feel they could have taken something from the Limerick match. Dublin can’t take this trip for granted. Verdict: Dublin.
Offaly v Limerick, Faithful Fields CoE, 2pm.
Offaly will need to rouse themselves to recover from a difficult opening defeat to Wexford. Verdict: Limerick.
After their excellent showing against Limerick, there was bound to be a dip in the Waterford display against Offaly. It was a third game in as many weeks after all as it was for Offaly but the lows and highs experienced by Waterford were greater. The two-week break will be welcome before they try and consolidate their Division 1A status. Kilkenny were just okay in beating Offaly themselves here in Round 1 but their puck-outs were sharp when going down to Limerick. It’s a game where Conor Prunty will be missed but Stephen Bennett’s comeback and the Ballygunner players’s expected return will give them heart. You just sense Kilkenny will be mindful of a strong home display ahead of Cork coming to town. Verdict: Kilkenny.
It’s all duck or no dinner here for Offaly. A point will do either team little good and Offaly have to lean into what they have here – their supposed spiritual home with what should be a lively crowd backing them up. Galway have had two moral victories thus far and their tyros must be sore with the amount of backslaps they have been receiving. Now is the time for a win and one that can set them up for the visit of Waterford next weekend. Verdict: Galway.
Good friends they may be but if there was radio silence between Davy Fitzgerald and Pat Bennett this week, it wouldn’t have come as much surprise. Fitzgerald knows anything but a win here and Antrim are staring at relegation. For Bennett, the end to the Wexford game was disappointing but there were positives. To remain in the promotion equation, they have to win. Antrim’s need is greater, though. Verdict: Antrim.
The proverbial banana skin for Westmeath but if they are to keep up with Laois and Kerry in the promotion race, nothing but a win will do. Verdict: Westmeath.
Derry seem to have recovered from that awful round one loss to Kerry but Meath appear a more settled crew. Verdict: Meath.
