It’s round five of the Allianz Hurling League on Sunday and here we preview all 17 games scheduled.

 

Sunday, March 1st

HL Division 1 Group A round 5

Galway v Cork, Pearse Stadium, 2pm - Deferred on TG4

Galway went down narrowly to Waterford last weekend and need a win to try and lift themselves from second bottom in the table.

Cork lost out in a battle with Limerick the last day and travel to Pearse Stadium to play their fifth and final round in Group A against the Tribesmen.

It’s set to be the first league meeting between these two since the Rebels won a 1A relegation play-off by 2-22 to 0-25.  

The bookies make the home side the slight favourites in a clash that could well go down to the wire.

Verdict: Galway

Limerick v Westmeath, LIT Gaelic Grounds, 2pm

Limerick dug deep the last day to see off Cork and are now well placed to seal a berth in the quarter-finals with Westmeath visiting them on Sunday.

The holders are whopping 1/200 favourites against a Lake County side which have lost all four of their outings to date.

The Treaty men have welcomed back both Adrian Breen and Peter Casey to training recently while Tom Condon is also on his way towards making a return for the Munster champions.

Westmeath face a relegation clash with Carlow, irrespective of how they fare at the LIT Gaelic Grounds.

Verdict: Limerick

Tipperary v Waterford, Semple Stadium, 2pm - Live on TG4

Liam Cahill’s homecoming will see Tipperary and Waterford meeting in the league for the first time in two years when the Premier men won by 1-20 to 1-11.

Last year’s championship clash between these two also saw Tipp hammering the Deise men on a 2-30 to 0-18 score-line but, of course, it’s expected to be a much tighter affair this time round.

Waterford are in a solid place to make the quarter-finals while their opponents are heading into their fourth game seeking a second win.

To no surprise, the bookmakers have the All-Ireland champions as strong enough favourites (4/9) and they get the nod to keep it to script here.

Verdict: Tipperary 

HL Division 1 Group B round 5

Clare v Dublin, Cusack Park, 2pm

Clare are the first side from Group B to cement their place into the knock-out stages and whether it’s a quarter-final or semi-final will be dependent on Sunday’s result in Ennis.

A win over Dublin guarantees the Banner men a place in the last four for the first time since 2016 and the bookies make them 2/5 favourites to do so.

Dublin are in need of a win in order to give themselves any hope of a place in the latter stages of this competition.

Verdict: Clare

Laois v Kilkenny, UPMC Nowlan Park, 2pm

Kilkenny currently sit third in the pecking order in Group B and you can be sure Brian Cody and Co will be out to correct that against Laois on Sunday.

Laois boss Eddie Brennan will be looking to upset 12/1 odds against his native county at UPMC Nowlan Park after wet conditions at O’Moore Park forced his side to give up home advantage.

It makes one lean even further towards a victory for Cody’s charges here.

Verdict: Kilkenny

Wexford v Carlow, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2pm

Just a point behind Clare, Wexford are in good shape to book another win in this one against struggling Carlow.

The Barrowsiders are pointless after four rounds and will play Westmeath in a relegation play-off next month for their Division 1 status.

The Model men, on the other hand, are currently fifth favourites ahead of Tipperary, Cork and Galway to land the Division 1 title and should have no fuss here.

Verdict: Wexford

HL Division 2A round 5

Meath v Mayo, Pairc Tailteann, 12.30pm

One of five early throw-ins on Sunday sees Mayo heading east to Navan looking for their first win of the campaign.

Meath lay two points ahead of them on the table and are 1/8 favourites to double that tally against the Westerners.

Verdict: Meath

Kerry v Antrim, Austin Stack Park, 12.30pm

An outbreak of mumps in the Kerry camp has thrown a spanner in the works ahead of this one and are Antrim now set to travel to Tralee as 4/6 favourites.

The Kingdom have won all four of their outings but are going to be down at least three for this one as a result of their players contracting the acute viral infection this week.

Verdict: Antrim

Offaly v Wicklow, O'Connor Park, 12.30pm

Along with Kerry and Antrim, Offaly are in contention for a place in the Division 2A final and will want to make sure there are no blips when Wicklow come to visit them in Tullamore on Sunday.

On the flip side, the Garden men find themselves in a relegation battle with Meath and Mayo and are in need of more points fast to ensure they don't avoid the drop.

Verdict: Offaly

HL Division 2B round 5

London v Warwickshire, Ruislip, 1pm

This all-Exile affair hits McGovern Park on Sunday and sees both London and Warwickshire seeking their first win of the campaign.

London have shown better signs after their first three outings and get the nod to take the points in the English capital.

Verdict: London

Down v Kildare, Liatroim GAC, 2pm

These two, along with Derry, sit on six points meaning Sunday’s clash at the newly appointed Liatroim GAC grounds could well be a cracker.

Last year’s league meeting saw Kildare winning out over the Mourne men and the same outcome is predicted in this one.

Verdict: Kildare

Roscommon v Derry, Bekan, 2pm

Derry’s form has been impressive thus far in the campaign and they journey to the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence this weekend as 1/8 favourites to keep up their winning ways.

Roscommon have one win form three outings and don’t look like picking up another when the free-scoring Oak Leafers come to visit on Sunday.

Verdict: Derry

HL Division 3A round 5

Longford v Donegal, Michael Fay Park, 2pm

Longford and Donegal are both in contention for a final place in the last round and should serve up an intriguing encounter at the Longford Slashers GAA grounds.

Verdict: Longford

Monaghan v Louth, Inniskeen, 2pm

Neither of these sides have booked a win in this campaign to date and after their brave showing against Armagh the last day, it’s Louth that look most likely to take the points in Inniskeen.

Verdict: Louth

Armagh v Tyrone, Athletic Grounds, 2pm

It should be one hell of a derby when table-toppers Armagh (7pts) and Tyrone (6pts) cross swords at the Athletic Grounds, where a league final place could potentially be on the line depending on other results.

Verdict: Armagh

HL Division 3B round 5

Cavan v Sligo, Kingspan Breffni 3G, 12.30pm

Sligo sit top of the division despite having played a game less than the other four teams below them and should pick up two more points in Cavan town in their promotion crusade.

Verdict: Sligo

Leitrim v Lancashire, Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, 12.30pm

Lancashire head for Carrick-on-Shannon in need of a win to keep the heat on Sligo and are fancied to take both points back across the water.

Verdict: Lancashire

Staying in this weekend? Keep up with the latest Allianz Football and Hurling League action on the hoganstand.com live match tracker.

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