LAST weekend saw the second round of the National Hurling League being played across the country. After a couple of opening day shocks, the second set of fixtures seemed to stay more to script with a couple of teams laying down a marker.
Below we look at each of the 12 teams in the top tier and analyse who are the early frontrunners and those who need results quick.
Week 1 National Hurling League Power Rankings
12. Clare
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Although few could have predicted a worse outcome than the opening day defeat to Antrim, the loss to Wexford at the weekend will probably feel worse for the Banner faithful. Dictating the first hour in Ennis, Clare looked home and hosed with an eight point lead after 60 minutes.
That win would have done their confidence a world of good after the opening day reversal, but Brian Lohan’s side couldn’t see the game out and conceded 2-4 on the bounce after Liam Corry’s red to hand the game to the Yellowbellies.
Another defeat this weekend against Laois could prove a disastrous blow to their 2021 hopes, just three weeks into the campaign.
11. Laois
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Another weekend, another heavy weekend for Cheddar Plunkett’s men who fell to a 0-30 to 1-19 defeat at the hands of Dublin. The performance was much improved from the 19-point loss to Wexford but Laois rarely looked like winning on Saturday.
A bright start aside, Laois were very much second fiddle. The scoring of key forwards Ross King and Cha Dwyer are a boost with the duo combining for 1-8 between them but things need improving quick if Laois are to make their presence felt in the championship later this summer.
10. Westmeath
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Defeat was ultimately their lot against Waterford on Sunday, but the Lake County will take huge positives from a game where they put it up to last year’s All-Ireland finalists. Looking down and out trailing by eight with 20 minutes to play, Cillian Doyle’s goal six minutes from time had just two points between the sides.
Division 1 Hurling League
Full-Time
Waterford 1-22
Westmeath 1-19Despite the defeat, what an outstanding performance from Shane O’Brien’s men against last year’s All-Ireland finalists.
Killian Doyle was exceptional.
Super effort lads#iarmhiabu #westmeathgaa
— Westmeath GAA (@westmeath_gaa) May 16, 2021
Westmeath couldn’t reduce that deficit but after the manner of their loss to Galway in the first round, it was a vastly improved performance and one that will keep Cork honest this weekend.
9. Limerick
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The All-Ireland, Munster and League champions at nine seems unreasonable but that is the nature of Power Rankings. John Kiely’s side are yet to pick up a win and every team above them in the list has.
Limerick haven’t been themselves since the return of play and despite the undoubted talent in the squad, this will be a worry to John Kiely and co. The Shannonsiders can feel aggrieved at some of the decisions that have gone against them but in Salthill they were second best throughout.
Limerick are still the team to beat but with Championship fast looming, the need for improvement is required quickly.
8. Dublin
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Another weekend without a three-pointer for the Dubs but the goal-shy side did put up an impressive 0-30 against Laois in winning their first game of the season. Apart from a slow start where the hosts went three clear, Dublin were in control.
Donal Burke’s incredible tally of 0-18 (14f, 1’65) went a long way in helping Dublin to an eight point win. The Chris Crummy experiment at centre-forward is continuing but the presence of Sean Moran and Liam Rushe in the half-back line has certainly added to Dublin’s defensive solidity. They face Antrim in Parnell Park this weekend.
7. Waterford
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After the loss to Cork in the first round, a win will have been all Waterford wanted from their assignment against Westmeath. However, the manner of the three-point win will do little to settle Liam Cahill as they rode their luck at times in Walsh Park. Despite holding a commanding eight point lead after 50 minutes, they had to battle hard for their win down the stretch.
Waterford did only start two players from last years All-Ireland XV which told on the day but expect the calvary to be back when they meet Limerick this weekend. It is sure to be a colossal battle with both sides certainly out of the reckoning should they fall to another defeat.
6. Antrim
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Defeat was Antrim’s lot against the Cats on Sunday but their performance certainly showed that the opening day win over Clare was no one-off. The Saffrons trailed by as many as nine points in the opening half as they failed to build on their historic round one win.
But after the break, they began to chip into the Kilkenny lead, with two quickfire goals drawing them level after 43 minutes. Kilkenny pulled away again but Neil McManus had a third for the Ulster side in response.
In the end, the margin was seven but Antrim have proved themselves a very dangerous side. They will travel to Parnell Park with no fear this weekend.
5. Tipperary
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The Premier County are still without a win but Liam Sheedy’s side remain undefeated after a second consecutive draw. The 2019 All-Ireland champions controlled proceedings in the middle quarters but were once more overly reliant on Jason Forde who had half of their tally. Ten of his eleven scores came from placed balls with the usually potent Tipp forward line struggling for answers.
Without Seamus Callanan, the goals have dried up for Tipp. But with a high number of personal changes over the first two weekends, Sheedy will be quietly happy with the progress thus far.
4. Cork
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While they will rue chances late on to defeat Tipp, Cork will be pleased to maintain their unbeaten start to the League. After crashing home five goals against Waterford in the opener, the Rebels looked in a similar mood, bagging their first inside six minutes through the impressive Tim O’Mahony.
However, a lapse in the middle quarter allowed Tipp back into the game, something which will have to be addressed by Kingston this week.
Nonetheless, it has been a hugely positive opening for Cork who will be looking to put a big score on Westmeath this weekend.
3. Kilkenny
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Brian Cody’s side made it two from two in the League on Saturday as they overcame a dogged Antrim side. The 1-28 to 2-15 win could have been much more were it not for a second half collapse but without talisman TJ Reid, Brain Cody will be pleased with the Cats performances.
He will be particularly happy with the work of his forward unit who plundered 1-23, with all but nine of those points coming from play in Reid’s absence. Tougher challenges lay ahead but Kilkenny are motoring nicely.
2. Wexford
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Wexford should not have beaten Clare on Sunday, but that’s exactly what Davy Fitz’ side did. That comeback win showed their battling qualities that were glaringly absent last year.
Trailing by eight points heading into the final ten minutes, Wexford looked like they would rue missed chances with a number of placed balls sailing wide. But 2-4 without reply completely turned the contest in their favour as they held on for a valuable win.
Fellow undefeated side Kilkenny await in the next game with Division 1 glory well within their reach.
1.Galway
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One of three teams with a 100% record, no one has been more impressive by Galway. While they were imperious in putting up 5-34 against Westmeath on the opening day, they dominated the reigning champions last Sunday.
Galway never trailed against Limerick and demonstrated why they gave the All-Ireland champions their toughest assignment in 2020.
Their forward unit is flowing, even without Joe Canning who only made a brief cameo, while their defence looks impenetrable.
Galway 0-26 Limerick 1-17.
For the first time in almost two years, Limerick have lost a game of hurling.
Conor Whelan was in typically sensational form for the Tribe
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) May 16, 2021
Tipp in Thurles is the next acid test for Shane O’Neill.
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