NHL - Round 1

[thejuice]

Sunday, February 8th
Allianz NHL Division One
Limerick v. Clare
Justin McCarthy will be hoping to get his reign off to a winning start, while the same could be said for Mike McNamara. Both sides will be eager to do well, but Limerick look to be the better settled outfit at present.
Verdict: Limerick

Waterford v. Tipperary
Tipp are defending champions and will go all out to defend their title. However, Liam Sheehy will use the league to run the rule over a number of fringe players as will Davy Fitz. Tipp may just have the better reserve.
Verdict: Tipperary

Galway v. Kilkenny
These sides meet for the second time in a week. Kilkenny came out on top after extra time in the Walsh Cup final and another close match is sure to come about at Pearse Park, but the result could well be the same.
Verdict: Kilkenny

Allianz NHL Division Two
Kerry v. Wexford
Kerry manager Mossie Carroll has a huge task on his hands and the Kingdom could suffer a few big defeats in the league, starting with this one against Wexford.
Verdict: Wexford

Antrim v. Westmeath
If Antrim are to make an impact in the Leinster championship, then they must record a win here. The Lake County have made great strides in recent years and expect them to give the Saffrons a real test, although the Ulster side should prove a bit too strong.
Verdict: Westmeath

Offaly v. Carlow
Offaly have started the season slowly, but are getting into their stride at the right time. They should see off a Carlow side easily defeated by Westmeath in the Kehoe Cup final last Sunday.
Verdict: Offaly

Laois v. Down
Down are another side that will be expected to struggle in this division, while Laois are bidding for promotion. However, it may well be closer than people imagine, but Laois still get the nod.
Verdict: Laois

Allianz NHL Division 3A
Meath v. Kildare
Neither side wants to be in this division and their aim should be promotion. This is a must win game for both teams, even though it's the first round. Meath have not been firing well yet and Kildare could take the points on this occasion.
Verdict: Kildare

Wicklow v. Armagh
Wicklow manager Michael Phelan needs to lay down a marker early on. He has a lot of work to do in order to get the side competing again and Armagh could cause a surprise here.
Verdict: Armagh

Derry v. Mayo
Mayo suffered a shock defeat to Louth in the Kehoe Cup shield and if that match is any indication to go by, Derry should start the campaign with a win.
Verdict: Derry

Allianz NHL Division 3B
Tyrone v. Fingal
Fingal have been making good progress, but they will face an experienced Tyrone side and the Dublin side could find it hard to stay up.
Verdict: Tyrone

Donegal v. Longford
An intriguing affair here as these two sides have been evenly matched in recent meetings. Home advantage should suit the Ulster side.
Verdict: Donegal

Roscommon v. London
The exiles travel over to Roscommon for their opening league match and it remains to be seen what sort of a squad that they have this year. Roscommon need a win to get a bit of confidence. The Connacht side get the nod.
Verdict: Roscommon

Allianz Division Four
Cavan v. Fermanagh
Fermanagh begin a new era with neither of the McManus twins lining out. Cavan have a new manager in John Hunt and have also brought in some new players. They might just cause an upset here.
Verdict: Cavan

Sligo v. Monaghan
The Nicky Rackard Cup champions are favourites to top the group and should start with a win against Monaghan.
Verdict: Sligo

South Down v. Leitrim
The Ulster side are favourites to take the points here and they could be Sligo's main threat for promotion.
Verdict: South Down

[thejuice]

Those verdicts are from Hoganstand,

I'd give Tipp the nod this weekend along with Clare and Kilkenny though it;d be good for Galway to come out with a win. Anyone know which games are on Setanta/TG4?

[Sean3]

Dublin are playing Cork in Cork.

[thejuice]

Funny its not there, it was a copy and paste from Hoganstand! Think Dublin will win that? maybe, will be close anyway!

[Zulu]

Clare will definately beat Limerick IMO,
Dublin will beat Cork handy,
Tipp will beat Waterford,
Kilkenny will probably beat Galway

[INDIANA]

clare won the waterford crystal and limerick have ollie moran out injured, how in the name of christ could limerick be better settled?

[Silky]

Are all the games still on? With the snow in various places I'd expect a few to be called off today or will they leave it until 10 minutes before throw in?

Another great tradition of the GAA that we shopuld ditch IMO.

[thejuice]

Waterford-Tipp and later Galway-Kilkenny on TG4 @ 2pm

[ExiledGael]

Snow's a few inches thick on the ground in Fermanagh, hard to see any games surviving up this direction, not a hurling stronghold though as the man says. Seen this on RTE:

In the Allianz NHL the following matches are off; Laois v Down, Meath v Kildare, Wicklow v Armagh, Donegal v Longford, Tyrone v Fingal, Sligo v Monaghan, Laois v Down and Roscommon v London. The NFL match between Leitrim and Carlow has also been hit. In Camogie Offaly v Armagh, London v Tyrone are off.

[ExiledGael]

Galwaqy v Kilkenny and Offaly game now off too.

[gerry]

link for game

http://www.justin.tv/nern?

[dublinese]

No round 2 thread?

Looking forward to tomorrow's game. Missing Dotsie which is a huge loss, Boland out too. Galway without the Joe show. Bet them two years ago in PP. What I wouldn't give for another day like that

[slow corner back]

No round 2 thread?

Looking forward to tomorrow's game. Missing Dotsie which is a huge loss, Boland out too. Galway without the Joe show. Bet them two years ago in PP. What I wouldn't give for another day like that

Hope you enjoyed it

[INDIANA]

what  a day . Our best performance since the 90's.

[dublinese]

No round 2 thread?

Looking forward to tomorrow's game. Missing Dotsie which is a huge loss, Boland out too. Galway without the Joe show. Bet them two years ago in PP. What I wouldn't give for another day like that

Hope you enjoyed it

Only back now. Had a great day. Excellent performance. We looked to struggle in the beginning particularly in the half back line. Felt Galway were on top there from the off. Hiney and co weren't long getting back into it though. Galway were dangerous in the open but we closed them down well and they didn't look to enjoy the physical element on the game.

Obviously Galway were without Lee and the Portumna crowd but Dublin were missing players too. Liam Ryan had an excellent game at CF and Liam Rushe is a star of the future. McCrabbe improved on last weeks performance and in general we weren't as wasteful in front of the posts as we were last week.

Hard not to get carried away here but we've four points now and not far from guaranteeing Division 1 Hurling next season