After a week off, all teams are back for round three action. A fixture list which does not jump off the page apart from the Galway and Wexford fixture. Hawkeye Sidekick previews the round three fixtures.
Galway
This is a must win home fixture for Michael O’Donoghue and Galway team. A level of redemption secured with a comfortable win away in Tullamore but this fixture feels different.
Wexford come to Salthill looking for a vital win after their round two loss to Dublin at Parnell Park. Galway’s performance inconsistencies in recent times will be tested on Saturday afternoon.
Galway will need their middle third to create a platform. Gavin Lee will need to shore up the Galway back line with Daithi Burke suspended. Cathal Mannion must continue to be the key scoring contributor on placed balls and open play with long range points.
The hope is that Conor Whelan and Brian Concannon catch fire in the inside full forward line. A decisive fixture for Galway in this campaign with an away fixture to Dublin looming large. A county expects. Galway need to deliver a performance to get the local support base on side.
Wexford
There was plenty for Keith Rossiter and management team to be happy about despite the Dublin away loss. Officiating decisions went against them at vital times.
Can Wexford learn from that loss? Composure issues when the penalty goal was awarded. John Hetherton the main beneficiary with two quick fire goals. A repeat this weekend will spell disaster for Wexford.
Lee Chin continues to impress and there were increased contributions from Rory O’Connor in particular. The midfield and forward line units are improving. Can they apply pressure on Galway’s middle third to allow a potent inside full forward line to flourish.
Keith Rossiter does have a virtually full hand to pick from this weekend. It is time to deliver in Salthill after their last appearance saw a no-show cameo. A draw out of the question here?
Kilkenny
Derek Lyng and management will be pleased with their opening championship cameos. Two wins from two with scores from play across the middle third a nice bonus. Fionan Mackessy continues to impress in the half-forward line.
Offaly arrive to Nowlan Park. Kilkenny management using the fixture to test out squad depth. Harry Shine secures game time in the half-forward line. TJ Reid returns to the inside full forward line. Tommy Walsh returns in corner back.
This is a fixture that Kilkenny should have too much for Offaly. Kilkenny is expected to excel in the dry track conditions. They aim to keep their 100% record in the provincial round robin. Kilkenny to comfortably close out this fixture.
Offaly
I was bitterly disappointed in the Offaly performance against Galway. A no-show in the second half against fourteen players. The team looked completely jaded and unforced errors were the order of the day.
The bye week will have been gratefully received by Offaly management. Bench impact is minimal. The news of Adam Screeney’s injury layoff adds more pressure for Brian Duignan and Charlie Mitchell to deliver more scores.
The problem for Offaly this weekend is that Kilkenny’s middle third pace and physicality will cause issues. This will setup TJ Reid inside to deliver scores at regular intervals. Offaly must not allow the goals conceded against Galway to surface again.
Offaly realistically need to play perfect hurling to be any way competitive. This looks aspiration focused than realistic. Johnny Kelly will look for his squad to deliver. The Antrim fixture though is looming large on the calendar. It is crucial to secure Leinster SHC status next season. This has been a steep learning curve so far. This weekend will see another harsh lesson received.
Antrim
Plenty to like on the Antrim performance against Kilkenny performance in round two for fifty minutes. The hosts were tenacious and setup several impressive scores. Keelan Molloy’s goal was very well worked.
As the work rate waned in the final quarter, Kilkenny seized control. The closing quarter was a tough watch. Antrim will need more scoring output from Walsh and others to supplement the scoring of McNaughton and Molloy.
Dublin travel to Corrigan Park this weekend. Antrim at home should have beaten Dublin two years ago so Antrim will not be deterred. The side are defensively vulnerable. Additionally, the scoring issues from play against Kilkenny (1-3 in total) will not do against Dublin.
If there is a shock in Leinster SHC this weekend, it is coming in Corrigan Park. Davy Fitzgerald will have the side well drilled for the Dublin challenge.
Dublin
The campaign has started with two opening fixture wins but there is scope for improvement. Dublin goal concession rate is far too high, six goals in two games is a concern. Better sides will pick Dublin apart later in the championship.
The positives though for Dublin is the sheer resiliency and determination to close out games in the second half. They have been decisive in their Offaly and Wexford wins. The production from John Hetherton last time out a bonus.
Dublin management will be wary of the threat from Antrim. We should expect defensive adjustments. It will be interesting to see if Sutcliffe and Donal Burke are able to make the squad for the fixture. Sean Currie and Cian O’Sullivan continue to impress as they should have enough to beat Antrim but tougher assignments await.
Round 3 Predictions
Galway vs. Wexford – not convinced by either side so will go a draw.
Kilkenny vs. Offaly – Kilkenny to win by 10 points plus.
Antrim vs. Dublin – Dublin to edge out Antrim late in a 5 point win.