GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 21 – March 14, 2015 | Page 40

ALLIANZ NATIONAL
HURLING LEAGUE
BY DENIS O’BRIEN
MARCH 10, 2015
Though it seems the Allianz National Hurling League has
just begun, two rounds, and two very interesting rounds at
that, remain in the regular 1 A Division schedule.
Round 3 was held last weekend across Ireland with an eyeopening second loss in succession for defending league and
All Ireland champions, Kilkenny. The result of which sees
them with just the one win (over Cork) in three games and
on two points they are second from the bottom, above Clare,
and very much in relegation territory.
Though they have been missing five Ballyhale Shamrocks
club players out of commission from the start on account of
club duty (who play in next week’s club All Ireland final v
Limerick’s Kilmallock) and three more with injuries – apart
from a good third quarter showing that won them the game
against Cork, Kilkenny haven’t, in their present state, looked
like a team capable of winning a very competitive league.
They were always behind against a fired up Dublin in Round
2 and apart from a brief early lead on Sunday against Galway,
though they threatened the western side’s goal late on with a
flurry of chances to win the game, they were always chasing
the things and relied too heavily in attack on 2014 hurler of
the year, Richie Hogan. They have an uphill task this weekend against rivals Tipperary away and with Hogan an injury
doubt, and the Blue & Gold looking to get one over on the
Cats, beating Tipp will be a tough ask.

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Galway who have wins over Clare and Kilkenny, with a
narrow loss to Tipp, are going nicely in the league on four
points. They have shown well in attack to date and the return
of ace Joe Canning last time, should give them a boost at
home next time against Cork.
The Rebels, also on four, have recovered well after their
opening round loss to Kilkenny and their forwards especially have been on fire in round 2’s win over Clare and last time
against Dublin. In the large field size of Croke Park with the
best surface for hurling in the country, Dublin in the first
half, left the skilled Cork attack an ocean of room in which
to operate. Cork picked off points at will notching up an incredible 0-21 tally in 35 minutes to Dublin’s 0-8. Cork were
never going to lose a 13 point advantage and while Dublin
tightened up considerably in defense thereafter, the Rebels
impressed with an 11 point win. Dublin looked a shadow of
their first two round winning selves, though Cork have to
be given credit for some of that. Cork still have problems: at
midfield Aidan Walsh in the second period was withdrawn,
while their full back line – though early sub Steven McDonald did nothing wrong at full back – are susceptible under
high balls and in this manner, conceded a late goal.
Clare are without a win to date and this weekend, face a
tough task against a Dublin side looking to banish last week’s
poor showing. Tony Kelly returned for Clare last Sunday and