Here are our previews for this weekend's six hurling clashes taking place across the country.

 

Saturday, March 24th

Allianz HL Division 1 quarter-final

Wexford v Galway, Innovate Wexford Park, 3pm - TG4

This was the fixture that stood out once the quarter-final pairings were confirmed and hurling fanatics will be hoping for a classic once these two cross swords at Innovate Wexford Park.

Galway couldn't halt Limerick's momentum last time out, which allowed the Shannonsiders to spring an upset in Salthill and earn themselves the right to hurl in Division 1A next season.

Joe Canning was among the substitutes in the Tribesmen's 2-18 to 1-19 defeat two weeks ago and the Hurler of the Year should see plenty more game time when the west siders visit the Model men in a repeat of last year's Leinster final.

Davy Fitzgerald's charges went down to Kilkenny by three points in Round 5 and will be keen to bounce back when they welcome the All-Ireland champions, so this one certainly has all the right ingredients.

Verdict: Wexford

Allianz HL Division 2A final

Westmeath v Carlow, O'Moore Park, 3.30pm

Westmeath won all five of their games on Division 2A, including their meeting with Carlow in late January which saw the teams level at half-time before the Lake men kicked on for a five-point win.

Allan Devine has been leading in the scoring charts for Michael Ryan's men and their Leinster counterparts will need to ensure he isn't afforded cheap frees at O'Moore Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Barrowsiders are looking to avoid their third final defeat in-a- row in this division, having lost out to Antrim last year and Sunday's opposition in 2016.

Verdict: Westmeath

Allianz HL Division 2B relegation play-off 

Derry v Armagh, Ballyshannon, 1pm

This Ulster derby looks a hard one to call but, with Derry's Slaughtneil members now back and settled in, the Oak Leafers get the nod to come through and survive in Ballyshannon.

Verdict: Derry

Allianz HL Division 3A final

Louth v Warwickshire, Trim, 1pm

There'll be silverware up for grabs in Trim on Sunday when these two face-off for the second time in five weeks.

Warwickshire have displayed the better form throughout the campaign but Louth are coming into this one in red hot form and could clinch the title if ace attacker Niall Arthur is on-song against the Exiles.

Verdict: Louth

 

Sunday, March 25th

Allianz HL Division 1 quarter-final

Dublin v Tipperary, Croke Park, 1pm - TG4

The formbook only points to one result in this one as Tipperary head for Croke Park on Sunday as 1/14 favourites.

When these two met in the qualifiers last summer the Premier men struck 6-26 past Dublin's defence in Thurles but at least the capital men won't have to contend with Seamus Callanan on this occasion.

Instead Pat Gilroy's side will need to figure the best way keep the likes of Jason Forde and John McGrath doing them irreversible damage this weekend.

Ronan Hayes's 2-4 contribution against Laois saw the Dubs pick up two vital points in their last outing and the general feeling is that Tipp will bring the curtain down on a very mixed league campaign for Gilroy's men on Sunday.

Verdict: Tipperary

Allianz HL Division 3B final

Lancashire v Leitrim, Ballyconnell, 12pm

Cork native Ronan Crowley has led the way in the scoring stakes for Lancashire right through this competition and he should finish up with another big personal tally when all's said and done against last year's Lory Meagher Cup beaten finalists at First Ulsters Park.

Verdict: Lancashire

 

The hoganstand.com Live Match Tracker will be bringing minute-by-minute coverage from both of this weekend's Allianz HL Division 1 quarter-finals as well as the All-Ireland club SHC final replay between Cuala and Na Piarsaigh.

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