HL previews: Four set to become two…
March 22, 2019
Limerick's Diarmaid Byrnes and Danny Sutcliffe of Dublin contest a high ball during the Allianz HL Division 1B round 3 clash at the Gaelic Grounds in 2018. ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan.
It’s a double-header at Nowlan Park on Sunday afternoon as the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 finalists are set to become known. Here are our previews:
Sunday, March 24th
Allianz HL Division 1 semi-finals
Dublin v Limerick, Nowlan Park, 1.30pm - TG4
Dublin tore up the script against Tipperary last weekend and will hold no fears in facing the All-Ireland champions at Nowlan Park in the early throw-in on Sunday.
Mattie Kenny’s side were superb at Semple Stadium in holding out until the bitter end against a Tipp side which simply couldn’t better them on the day and they’ll look to bring that intensity and more to the fray this weekend.
Limerick were arguably the stand out team throughout the Division 1A campaign this spring and walloped Laois in the quarter-final encounter, racking up an impressive 2-22 at O’Moore Park.
The Shannonsiders have a stiffer task on their hands this Sunday though and, having also recently welcomed back Na Piarsaigh pair Mike Casey and William O'Donoghue to full training since, should get the job done against a plucky capital outfit.
Verdict: Limerick
Galway v Waterford, Nowlan Park, 3.30pm - TG4
These two meet again after Waterford’s thrilling victory at Walsh Park a fortnight ago.
On that occasion it was Shane Bennett’s injury-time goal which swung the pendulum the way of the Deise men on a 1-18 to 2-13 score-line and the margins are expected to be minimal again on Sunday.
Joe Canning struck 0-15 in the Tribesmen’s quarter-final victory over Wexford in Salthill, while Cathal Mannion and Niall Burke combined for 2-3, so there’s plenty to keep Waterford’s defenders occupied in this 2017 All-Ireland final repeat.
More than half of the Munster men’s impressive 0-31 tally against Clare came from the stick of Stephen Bennett last time out, while Pauric Mahony and Austin Gleeson contributed 0-5 each.
It all makes Sunday’s big showdown at Nowlan Park a tough one to call.
Verdict: Waterford
Join the hoganstand.com match tracker on Sunday afternoon for live coverage of the final round of the football leagues, plus the hurling league semi-finals at Nowlan Park.
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