Here are our previews for this weekend's hurling clashes across the country and abroad.

Saturday, April 30th

Christy Ring Cup round 2A 

Antrim v Roscommon, Dunloy, 3.30pm

The Saffrons got their season back on track last weekend with a comfortable win over Kildare and should have enough to see off Roscommon on Saturday afternoon with home advantage.

Verdict: Antrim

Christy Ring Cup round 2B

Derry v Down, Owenbeg, 2pm

It's an Ulster derby in Owenbeg on Saturday and there won't be much to separate Derry and Down when all's said and done. Going by form all season, the Mourne men get the nod.

Verdict: Down

Wicklow v Kildare, Arklow, 3.30pm

Kildare lost heavily to Antrim last weekend but that still holds more weight that Wicklow's loss to Meath.

Verdict: Kildare
 

Nicky Rackard Cup round 2A

Mayo v Armagh, James Stephens Park, Ballina, 1.30pm

Mayo crushed Tyrone in Round One, while Armagh were made battle for their victory in their opener against Donegal. The Connacht side are set to have their work cut out in this one but should have enough.

Verdict: Mayo

Monaghan v Fingal, Castleblayney, 2pm

Both sides were impressive in their first round wins but the nod goes to Monaghan here after having already toppled the capital men in their league meeting.

Verdict: Monaghan

 

Nicky Rackard Cup round 2B

Donegal v Fermanagh, Letterkenny, 2pm

Donegal pushed Armagh close last weekend and will be keen to build on that performance when they welcome Fermanagh to Letterkenny. The Ernesiders shipped five goals to Monaghan last time out and will certainly require an improved display on Saturday.

Verdict: Donegal

Longford v Tyrone, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 3.30pm

Both teams are looking for their first win heading into Saturday's showdown in Longford town, where Tyrone will be fancied to bounce back from their heavy defeat to Mayo.

Verdict: Tyrone

 

Lory Meagher Cup round 2

Warwickshire v Louth, Pairc na hEireann, 11.45am

Both these sides are likely to set the pace in the Lory Meagher Cup and Saturday's early showdown in Birmingham should be an intriguing one.

Verdict: Warwickshire

Lancashire v Leitrim, Pairc na hEireann, 2pm

Part Two of the double-header at Pairc na hEireann will see Lancashire make their championship bow for 2016, making this clash a tough one to call.

Verdict: Leitrim

 

Sunday, May 1st

Allianz HL Division 1 final

Clare v Waterford, Semple Stadium, 3.30pm

All eyes will be on Semple Stadium on Sunday as Waterford look to retain their Division One title against, with David Fitzgerald's Clare standing their way. The Deise men were the team to beat in Division 1A this season given their sizzling form early on and they devastated Limerick in the semi-finals two weeks ago, as Patrick Curran and co lit up the Thurles venue with a 3-23 to 1-18 victory over the Shannonsiders. However, it was Clare that ended up catching the eye later that afternoon when they handed Kilkenny a 4-22 to 2-19 defeat at the home of hurling. Aaron Cunningham and Conor McGrath were the damage doers that day for the Banner men and their combined threat will have to be curtailed if Derek McGrath's charges are to go back-to-back. This decider will be seen as somewhat of a dress rehearsal for the big meet in the Munster championship on June 5th, but with silverware on the line don't expect either to go easy on one another once the sliotar is thrown in.

Verdict: Clare

Leinster SHC round 1

Kerry v Carlow, Austin Stack Park, 1pm

The All-Ireland senior hurling championship will officially get underway on Sunday when Kerry welcome Carlow to Tralee for the first round of the Leinster championship. The game sees the Kingdom making their Leinster SHC bow by virtue of last year's Christy Ring Cup triumph and the general feeling is that they can ride their championship momentum here. Home advantage should count for something for Ciaran Carey's men too, as they prepare to take on a Carlow side which topped Division 2A with four wins from five games.

Verdict: Kerry

Westmeath v Offaly, Cusack Park, 3pm

This midlands derby sees Offaly head in as favourites but if form is anything to go by they certainly won't have it all their own way. Westmeath won four games from their five rounds in the league before going on to claim the Division 2A title with a two-point victory over table-toppers Carlow. The Faithful men were far from impressive during their respective league campaign, losing three games before suffering a trouncing at the hands of Kilkenny in the quarter-finals. It will be up to the likes of Shane Dooley and Joe Bergin to try and get Eamonn Kelly's men back to winning ways on Sunday.

Verdict: Offaly

 

Christy Ring Cup round 2A

London v Meath, Ruislip, 12.30pm

The Royals head for Ruislip this weekend looking to back up their strong showing against Wicklow last time out but face a different animal to the Garden men in the form of the Exiles, who will want to make the most of home advantage.

Verdict: London

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