The clash of Kilkenny and Dublin is the highlight of another action-packed weekend of hurling action as the Allianz National Hurling League gets into full flow.
Division 1A
Saturday, February 21st
Cork v Clare, Páirc Uí Rinn, 7pm
In a repeat of the 2013 All-Ireland final epic, both sides are on a serious retrieval mission after disappointing opening round losses to Kilkenny and Galway respectively.
Despite being near full-strength Jimmy Barry Murphy's side were brushed aside by Brian Cody's men, only coming to life with the game beyond their reach at the death.
Home advantage did not benefit them on that occasion and they must collect two points under the Páirc Uí Rinn lights on Saturday evening or else they will be staring at a relegation dogfight.
Clare on the other hand are on their travels once again after an agonising last-minute defeat to the Tribesmen in Salthill in what is a must-win for Davy Fitzgerald's side.
Tony Kelly was a late withdrawal for the Banner on that occasion and they badly missed his influence as apart from John Conlon, the Clare attack struggled somewhat.
An intriguing battle with a lot to play for, but the influence of Pat Horgan, Alan Cadogan and Conor Lehane might just sway the battle for the Rebels.
Verdict: Cork by 3.
Sunday February 22nd
Kilkenny vs Dublin, Nowlan Park, 2pm
Reigning league and All-Ireland champions Kilkenny defied the absence of several regulars and a raft of winter retirements to best Cork on Leeside while the Dubs gave the performance of the weekend against Tipperary.
Ger Cunningham's new-look side completely overpowered last year's All-Ireland finalists in all departments and some astute positional switches look to be paying early-season dividends for the boys in blue.
Michael Carton's relocation to full-back, Peter Kelly's switch to No 6 and the Liam Rushe's re-positioning to full-forward all make Sunday's Nowlan Park fixture an intriguing one.
Richie Hogan was to the fore for the Cats against the Rebels and it will be interesting to see who Dublin assign to pick up the 2014 Hurler of the Year.
Elsewhere, Paul Murphy will continue to try to fill the massive void left by JJ Delaney's retirement in the number three shirt and his battle with Rushe will be one of the key battles to decide the contest.
An even contest in store and despite sometimes struggling outside of Parnell Park in the league, Dublin may just narrowly prevail in what should be a cracking contest.
Verdict: Dublin by one.
Tipperary v Galway, Thurles, 2pm
Mixed fortunes on the opening weekend for these teams with Galway showing fighting spirit to edge the Banner in Pearse Stadium while Tipperary were nothing short of appalling in their 12-point loss to the Dubs.
Eamon O'Shea's charges were abject from start to finish, being completely overrun all over the field by a well-drilled Dublin side and they resembled the shambolic side that stumbled through the early stages of last year's league.
Without John "Bubbles" O'Dwyer the Premier men would have have been humiliated further and they will be hoping for Patrick "Bonner" Maher to return as the Lorrha/Dorrha seems to make Tipperary tick.
Jason Flynn's injury-time winner ensured a dream start for Anthony Cunningham's side after winning the Walsh Cup against Dublin the previous week and perhaps a shift in the Tribe mentality.
Galway's reserve has often been described as 'flaky' but without the services of Joe Canning, Conor Cooney and David Burke, perhaps the next generation of hurlers are beginning to come to life.
Cathal Mannion, Joseph Cooney, Johnny Glynn and Flynn were all to the fore and with last year's Qualifier reversal fresh on their minds, the Galway momentum might continue to roll.
Verdict: Galway by two.
Division 1B
An exciting trio of games ahead with margins looking pretty slim between the six sides typified by a draw between Limerick and Waterford, a one point win for Wexford against Antrim a tight local derby between Offaly and Laois.
This weekend Limerick are fancied to win making the long trip to the Glens while on Saturday night Waterford should defeat Laois but the pick of this weekend's games is at O'Connor Park where Leinster rivals Offaly and Wexford meet.
Manager Brian Whelehan and captain Dan Currams were quick to quench the discerning voices within the Faithful county in the wake of their O'Moore Park win and there is a massive chance for them to get their season off to a flying start.
If Shane Dooley can continue to hit the heights of last week Offaly will be able to dine on the periphery of the top table of hurling, something the hurling fraternity yearns for.
The Model county were steamrolling Antrim before conceding 1-6 without response and it took a late Harry Kehoe point to eek out a victory in the south east.
Captain Matt O'Hanlon returns and despite being without the exciting Conor McDonald Liam Dunne's side are probably ahead of Offaly in terms of their development and are fancied to pick up the points in Tullamore.
Verdicts: Wexford by two, Waterford by seven, Limerick by six.
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