Tipperary and Wexford remain the only unbeaten sides in the National Hurling League and while the latter will feel like they can take an enormous step toward promotion this weekend, the former face arguably one of their toughest challenges of the year.
Michael Ryan's side host Kilkenny at Semple Stadium and the pair face off for the first time since last September's All-Ireland final.
Speaking to Newstalk.com this week, former Kilkenny hurler Nickey Brennan spoke of the need to be realistic as Kilkenny continue to bring young players into the squad.
"People are realistic enough to know that it does take time," he explained. "The younger lads have a decent pedigree at underage, but it’s a huge step up to come up against the top teams.
"I don’t think there's a question of panic. There has to be an element of realism."
Elsewhere this weekend, Dublin travel to Cusack Park to face Clare, while Waterford host Cork.
In Division 1B, Wexford can maintain their unbeaten league run when they go to Offaly on Sunday and Laois host Limerick.
Also this weekend, Tyrone and Cavan will face off in their rescheduled Allianz Football League Division 1 game clash at Healy Park.
You can read Shane Stapleton's thoughts on this weekend's clash between the Premier County and the Cats or Wexford's Lee Chin on his experiences in Vancouver.
Also this week, former Galway hurling captain David Collins was elected as the GPA's new president.
Saturday 11 March
Allianz HL Division 1A
Tipperary v Kilkenny, Semple Stadium, 7pm
Allianz HL Division 1B
Laois v Limerick, O'Moore Park, 7pm
Allianz HL Division 3B
Longford v Warwickshire, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 2.30pm
Allianz FL Division 3
Tipperary v Longford, Semple Stadium, 5pm
Connacht U21FC
Galway v Leitrim, Tuam Stadium, 3pm
Sunday 12 March
Allianz HL Division 1A
Clare v Dublin, Cusack Park, 2pm
Waterford v Cork, Walsh Park, 2pm
Allianz HL Division 1B
Kerry v Galway, Austin Stack Park, 2pm
Offaly v Wexford, O'Connor Park, 2pm
Allianz HL Division 2A
Westmeath v London, TEG Cusack Park, 1pm
Armagh v Antrim, Athletic Grounds, 2pm
Kildare v Carlow, Newbridge, 2pm
Allianz HL Division 2B
Derry v Roscommon, Celtic Park, 1pm
Mayo v Meath, Ballina, 2pm
Wicklow v Down, Arklow, 2pm
Allianz HL Division 3A
Donegal v Monaghan, Letterkenny, 2pm
Tyrone v Louth, Carrickmore, 2pm
Allianz HL Division 3B
Leitrim v Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon, 2pm
Allianz FL Division 1 (Rescheduled)
Tyrone v Cavan, Healy Park, 2pm
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
