After an intriguing opening round last weekend in Munster, this weekend will provide significant answers on the team’s form lines. Hawkeye Sidekick reflects on the weekend play scheduled.
The Gillane effect
The local Limerick media reports late on Thursday night are a blow for the Limerick hurlers. There is no point in saying it isn’t because it is. Gillane has been in sensational form in Limerick during the league.
The Patrickswell clubman delivered a final winning performance for Limerick against Cork three weeks ago. His absence means that the collective team mantra needs to hold true for Limerick as they travel to Cork this weekend. The absence of Gillane will be keenly watched.
Limerick has several match winners in their starting lineup. The run game from deep will be even more pivotal for Limerick to identify the space inside for Shane O’Brien and Peter Casey to exploit. Limerick, coming into the championship fresh, will need to deliver a strong performance. Let’s see what transpires on Sunday afternoon.
Can Cork’s half-forward line deliver this weekend?
An interesting statement given what we saw from the unit last weekend in Thurles. Walsh, Barrett, and Fitzgibbon scored twelve points combined. Tipperary’s middle third was under pressure given the contribution. This weekend sees Cork renew rivalries with Limerick (part three) this weekend.
The Cork half-forward line will not need to be reminded onf the Allianz Hurling League 1A final performance. The Limerick half-back line dominated proceedings from start to finish. For Cork to win this fixture, the half-forward needs to be prominent and deliver.
Kyle Hayes’ presence forced Patrick Collins to distribute away from the wing back’s area. It resulted in O’Donoghue and Byrnes reveling in aerial ball success. How will Cork change up their puck -out strategy to give Limerick off balance?
It is do or die in Walsh Park
Put simply, the loser of this Waterford vs. Tipperary faces an early championship exit. Waterford comes into the contest after a spirited loss to Clare last weekend in Ennis. There were clear flaws in their performance, but their resiliency to stay in the fight was admirable. Stephen Bennett (3-12) was sensational. Dessie Hutchinson, Sean Walsh, and Jamie Barron had fleeting moments.
Waterford must dominate the middle third. Leavey is switched back to his preferred midfield role. Daly needs to produce a composed half-back performance and ensure that the supply into the Tipperary full forward line is limited. Have Waterford missed a trick by not introducing Peter Hogan or Austin Gleeson from the start? Mark Fitzgerald continues at full back, but the player needs to be further up the pitch.
Tipperary enters this fixture on the back foot. The third -quarter performance against Cork was incredibly disappointing. The team setup was quite imbalanced in the middle third, and Cork took full advantage. Tipperary also looked tired in this period, which is an area where Waterford will test on Sunday.
How do Tipperary win this fixture? They need to switch Craig Morgan into the full -back line to allow Michael Breen to impress in the middle third. Alan Tynan will feel disappointed not to start this weekend given his cameo last week. Darragh McCarthy has a point to prove coming off the bench. Liam Cahill has given the starting line of round one to redeem themselves. It is a brave call.
The stakes cannot be higher for either. If Waterford loses, they face Cork and Limerick to end the round -robin campaign. Tipperary will face Limerick and Clare to finish their provincial round -robin campaign. There are no gimmes in Munster. Both sides need a win. aA draw will not be good enough given those schedules. The fall out at 6 pm on Sunday will be felt for the vanquished.
Predictions
| Fixture | Leo | Mark | Kieran | Ruairi |
| Cork vs. Limerick | Limerick | Limerick | Limerick | Limerick |
| Waterford vs. Tipperary | Waterford | Tipperary | Waterford | Waterford |
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