Here are our previews for this weekend's Round One fixtures in the Allianz National Hurling League (Divisions 1A-3A).

Saturday, February 13

Allianz HL Division 1A

Tipperary v Dublin, Semple Stadium, 7pm
All roads lead to the home of hurling this Saturday night as Tipperary welcome Dublin to Semple Stadium for their National League opener. Under the stewardship of Michael Ryan since last year's All-Ireland SHC semi-final defeat to Galway, Tipp opted to forgo January's Munster senior hurling league competition, using challenge matches instead. Lar Corbett, Shane McGrath, James Woodlock and Conor O'Mahony are all gone from last season, so it'll be interesting to get a first real glimpse of the Premier men since then, with Dublin having comfortably secured the Walsh Cup at the end of last month. The competition cranks up for the capital men this weekend though.
Verdict: Tipperary

Allianz HL Division 1B

Limerick v Wexford, Gaelic Grounds, 7pm
The winners from this one will no doubt be favourites to join Davy Fitzgerald's Clare in the race promotion up to Division 1A. Limerick got a tough break last week with the news that corner-back Sean Finn will miss the entire season after tearing his cruciate during UL's Fitzgibbon Cup win over Mary Immaculate College. Combine that with not having their Na Piarsaigh contingent available to them and you could say that Shannonsiders are somewhat depleted for Saturday night's showdown at the Gaelic Grounds against Liam Dunne's Wexford side. The Slayneysiders enjoyed a decent Walsh Cup campaign last month but undoubtedly face a tall order in trying to pull off a 5/2 upset this weekend.
Verdict: Limerick

Sunday, February 14

Allianz HL Division 1A

Galway v Cork, Pearse Stadium, 2pm
One of two big meetings in the top tier on Sunday with both counties looking to set an early tone after respective disappointments in 2015. Galway's player revolt against manager Anthony Cunningham ensued in the ensuing weeks after their All-Ireland final defeat to Kilkenny and some would argue that the Micheál Donoghue's men require a flying start to their league campaign in order to keep the pressure off. Cork are in a similar boat under new supremo Kieran Kingston, who has recalled trio Cian McCarthy, Conor O'Sullivan and William Egan to his league panel following their championship exodus last summer.
Verdict: Galway

Waterford v Kilkenny, Walsh Park, 2pm
It's a case of champions versus champions at Walsh Park this weekend but there can be no argument over who the clear favourites are as Brian Cody's Kilkenny make the trip to Waterford. The Deise men may earned league honours last year but it was the Cats that claimed the top prize when all was said and done. Last August saw the Leinster kingpins hand Derek McGrath's men a 1-21 to 0-18 defeat on route to Liam MacCarthy Cup number 36 and they're 8/11 favourites to repeat the trick again on Sunday. Many have cited Waterford as a young coming team for the future but this one may well have come to soon for the Munster outfit.
Verdict: Kilkenny

 

Allianz HL Division 1B

Clare v Offaly, Cusack Park, 2pm
Clare have been tipped as favourites to lead the way in Division 1B for the coming campaign and, needless to say, victory against Offaly on Sunday would hand them the perfect start. Davy Fitzgerald and Donal Og Cusack no doubt have big things in mind for the Banner men in 2016, having already claimed the Munster senior hurling league title with victory over Limerick last month. Offaly have impressed in the early part of the year too with a shock win over Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup on their old stomping ground in Birr, but Eamonn Kelly's side have their work cut out for them in trying to stop the likes of John Conlon and co inflicting them with damage.
Verdict: Clare

Laois v Kerry, O'Moore Park, 2pm
Sunday sees two of the lesser strongholds clashing at Portlaoise, where both sides will fancy their chances at claiming some early points to try and look down the table rather than up it. Laois have been progressing well under Seamus 'Cheddar' Plunkett for the last three years and are firm favourites to see off the challenge of Kerry, who are priced as 11/4 outsiders for this one. Make no mistake though, the Kingdom are there on full merit after a breakthrough season in 2015 which saw them clinch a double promotion in league and championship.
Verdict: Kerry 

 

Allianz HL Division 2A

Derry v Antrim, Celtic Park, 2pm
An all-Ulster derby in Celtic Park is sure to spice things up in this Division 2A opener and winning start to the campaign for the Saffrons looks the likely outcome with Derry very much depleted.
Verdict: Antrim

Kildare v Carlow, Newbridge, 2pm
Kildare claimed the Kehoe Cup last Sunday after an impressive campaign and new manager Joe Quaid will certainly be keen to keep that momentum but Carlow look likely to spoil the party for the Lilywhites. 
Verdict: Carlow

London v Westmeath, Ruislip, 2pm
Westmeath's Walsh Cup campaign was an encouraging one, considering they posted 0-17 against Galway on their way to a battling defeat against the Tribesmen, and look likely to pick up an early pair of points in London this weekend.
Verdict: Westmeath

Allianz HL Division 2B

Armagh v Down, Athletic Grounds, 2pm 
Another derby up north and going by recent results you'd have to give the Mourne men the nod in this one.
Verdict: Down

Mayo v Donegal, McHale Park, 2pm
Donegal travel south looking to cause an upset but with home advantage in their favour Mayo will be fancied to see off the Tir Chonaill men's challenge.
Verdict: Mayo

Wicklow v Meath, Arklow, 2pm
Meetings in previous years have mostly been tight but last year saw Meath score two comfortable wins over the Garden men in the Kehoe Cup final and Christy Ring Cup, respectively. Expect the Royals to continue the trend here.
Verdict: Meath

 

Allianz HL Division 3A

Fingal v Warwickshire, DCU Sportsgrounds,, 2pm
Sunday sees Fingal and Warwickshire meet out in DCU, where a win for the capital side looks the more likely outcomes against the Exiles.
Verdict: Fingal

Louth v Roscommon, Darver, 2pm
Last year saw the Rossies comfortable in a 1-21 to 1-9 win over Louth and there's no reason to see a buck in that trend as the Connacht outfit head east this weekend.
Verdict: Roscommon

Monaghan v Tyrone, Castleblayney, 2pm
These sides finished all square in Omagh last year but with Tyrone in some disarray at the start of 2016, with regards to their management, you'd have to lean towards a home win in this one.
Verdict: Monaghan

*Keep up to date will all the action this weekend on our Match Trackers. On Saturday and Sunday you can follow the All-Ireland club SFC semi-finals and the Allianz HL.

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