Can Rebels lay down a marker in Thurles? Everything you need to know about this weekend's hurling and football
Jake Morris of Tipperary in action against Ethan Twomey of Cork. Pic: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
As much as Thurles looked like it was in Cork when these sides met last May, Tipperary’s home record in the league in recent years has been strong. It was understandable that they would fade in the closing stages against Limerick when it was their third game in as many weeks. Liam Cahill is keen to get the fans back behind the team and is doing his bit to repair old bonds. Alan Connolly is not around to haunt Tipp this time but Cork have enough strength in depth to hold out for a win. Verdict: Cork.
If Donegal are the one football team that look like they did heaps of pre-season training, Dublin appear to be the hurling equivalent. There may be a drop-off in the coming weeks but they haven’t shown much let-up yet. Offaly have some momentum behind them. Having said that, this should be another large step towards promotion for the home side. Verdict: Dublin.
Derry will be emboldened by taking on Kildare in their centre of excellence but they have been too leaky and Kildare shouldn’t require much invitation to make the most of that fact. Verdict: Kildare.
Both teams have 100% records thus far although London have had one more outing. The Exiles have shown bottle but they will need a bit more of it to see off Mayo. Verdict: Mayo.
The good, the bad and the ugly from each side so far. Longford to do just about enough. Verdict: Longford.
Monaghan v Warwickshire, St Tiernach’s Park, 2pm (A. McAleer, Donegal)
A battle of the bottom and Monaghan just don’t seem to be able to score enough. Verdict: Warwickshire.
A right pick o’ mix for Armagh to this point. Indiscipline has cost them in the defeats to Galway (Niall Grimley) and Donegal (Aaron Forker) whereas against Donegal at this venue they were electric. Mayo will want to play a controlled brand of football but Armagh’s need to move away from them in the table combined with what should be a fervent atmosphere won’t lend to that style. Verdict: Armagh.
Dublin’s tyros were rightly delighted with how they came away from Tralee with the points last weekend. It looked bleak at half-time but they were patient and eventually devoured Kerry’s lead. In a repeat of last year’s Division 1 final, Derry are capable of repeating that result and their need is greater seeing as they have yet to pick up a win. Verdict: Derry.
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It's back to the venue where Cork’s lack of endeavour cost them their championship presence against Louth last year. They will regret playing on Louth’s terms so much that day but under the new rules they are scoring for fun. So too are the hosts, mind, yet in the experience, power and pace stakes, Cork are slightly ahead of Monaghan. That guarantees them nothing but our tip. Verdict: Cork.
It's Antrim’s turn to inflict punishment on Leitrim although The Saffrons will have been disappointed with their displays since the opening win against Clare at this Belfast venue. Verdict: Antrim.
Clare and Offaly will have something to say about it but these neighbours could well meet again in the divisional final at the end of March. Kildare are a big fish in a small bowl and can continue their march to promotion. Verdict: Kildare.
Tipperary manager Philly Ryan admits his players are outboxing themselves but it’s hardly a complaint. They appear to have done their homework on the new rules and a third straight win looks on the cards here. Verdict: Tipperary.
Seeing as they are both on three points in the middle of the table, promotion will be a distant prospect for the losers. Limerick can take the points and run. Verdict: Limerick.
Waterford have been awkward for Cork on occasions and much will depend on just how rusty the All-Ireland champions are. They lost two of their five league games last year and mightn’t hit the ground running but can see off the opposition. Verdict: Cork.
A lot of indicators points toward Galway making another strong run at honours in 2025. Losing two finals last year would have stung and they can harness that pain. Verdict: Galway.
Division 1 champions Tipperary have been making steady advances in the past few seasons and can mark the start of their defence with a win. Verdict: Tipperary.
Only score difference keeps 100% record holders Armagh from top spot while Mayo are slightly unfortunate to be bottom. There is no luck for them as Armagh’s sharp attack suggests a fourth straight win for the home side. Verdict: Armagh.
Avoiding the drop will be bitterly difficult for the losers here. Lee Chin is set to make his seasonal debut but he can’t be expected to deliver another relegation-defying display so soon after coming back. Clare were stung by the mediocrity of their performance in Salthill but there will be home comforts for them here and they can land a first win. Verdict: Clare.
It's difficult to know where Kilkenny stand right now but the two-week break before this challenge came at the right time and they won’t shirk the challenge presented by Limerick. Still, it still feels as if something’s missing and as more familiar names populate the Limerick squad with each passing week their uncertainties will be examined. Verdict: Limerick.
Two sides that are pretty low in confidence right now but home is surely where Antrim’s heart is and they will give a better account of themselves here than on the road. As Davy Fitzgerald comes up against his old team and management, there is quite a bit on the line. Antrim’s promotion hopes look faint but Waterford can keep in the hunt. Verdict: Waterford.
Laois may have lost the services of Enda Rowland but they picked up a much-needed win over Westmeath last weekend. It gives them some hope of avoiding the drop but they meet a Carlow side who aren’t lacking belief or ambition. Verdict: Carlow.
Kerry’s last away game did not go to plan and Donegal can’t be dismissed too readily. All the same, you would think John “Tweek” Griffin’s men are thinking better of themselves after seeing off Derry with ease in Tralee last time out. Verdict: Kerry.
Down are making all of the early running and would be considered favourites to be among the two sides promoted but Meath have done all that has been asked of them so far. Verdict: Draw.
Not a huge amount between the counties but Aughrim factor can give Wicklow that extra push. Verdict: Wicklow.
Armagh look a little lost right now although they may be able to take something from the visit to Cavan town. Verdict: Draw.
They currently fill first and second spots and that may just be how the league finishes up next month. Verdict: Louth.
Malachy O’Rourke spoke of how ruthless the league can be but if Tyrone showed any teeth in the second half in Castlebar last Sunday, their need for points here mightn’t be so desperate. Kerry themselves are fortunate to have points on the board but David Clifford is back in. While their defence has some issues and Tom O’Sullivan is a loss, they can outscore Tyrone to claim a second win on the road. Verdict: Kerry.
You wonder if Donegal have the ambition to claim a league title when Derry will be waiting for them the following weekend. Some of their performances might taper off now that their top level status is all but secure. However, they won’t might striking a psychological blow against a team that knocked them out last year and will likely be All-Ireland contenders alongside them. Galway’s poor second half against Derry indicated they are still striving for fitness. Donegal don’t have any of those problems. Verdict: Donegal.
It's now or never for Westmeath. Win here and they can mount a challenge in the back straight to save their Division 2 status. Lose and Cavan go four points ahead of them. Verdict: Westmeath.
A short journey down the M1 for Down after another scorefest in Newry where they came out on the wrong side against Meath. Louth’s concession of soft goals to Cavan will give Down some hope. Verdict: Draw.
Meath and Roscommon are the second joint top scorers in the division behind Monaghan and Robbie Brennan’s side will back themselves again to outscore the table-toppers. They mightn’t yet be at the point where they can slug it out with The Rossies. Verdict: Roscommon.
After losing a game that was in their grasp on day one, Sligo’s run has shown little sign of improving whereas Clare have bounced back from an early reverse against Antrim. Sligo have the attack to win but may be too low in morale to see off The Banner. Verdict: Clare.
It’s all going swimmingly for Offaly in the Declan Kelly/Mickey Harte era thus far but Enniskillen will be a considerable test for them. If it becomes a war of attrition, the Erne County can eek out the win. Verdict: Fermanagh.
No win on the board for either side and Longford have had their woes since securing a draw against Limerick last month. It’s not as if they’re not competitive but these two have their troubles. Verdict: Longford.
Wicklow’s response to losing to London has been positive but Wexford made light work of The Exiles at home and are moving closer to promotion. Verdict: Wexford.
Kerry have been playing in fits and starts but have a couple of wins on the board and should be able to claim a win in this first part of a double-header in Omagh. Verdict: Kerry.
Not the prettiest of starts for the new Dublin management. However, the losing margins have been small and they can get the better of Waterford. Verdict: Dublin.
Meath appear to have rediscovered that old spark. Another win and a league final is a distinct possibility. Kildare have other priorities. Verdict: Meath.
Division 2
Six points apiece thus far and this game could have a major say in the promotion race. Cork’s forward line can be the winning of it. Verdict: Cork.
Galway haven’t put a foot wrong in jumping to the top of the table and shouldn’t make any mistakes here. Verdict: Galway.
Donegal will figure they should have more than a win on the board but they can double that total outside Athlone. Verdict: Donegal.
Tipperary are already in relegation bother and Clare won’t be showing much sympathy. Verdict: Clare.
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