GAA National Hurling League Division One Preview & Tips – 11th February

All-Ireland winner Shane Dowling takes a look at the action in the National Hurling League Division One this weekend.

The Na Piarsaigh man spoke exclusively to BoyleSports’ Leon Blanche this week and thinks both Offaly and Clare were very poor last week against Galway and Cork. He thinks Limerick and Wexford will both win with the latter great value at even money and thinks Tipperary should be the underdogs against Kilkenny.

Limerick v Galway

There is a lot of people surprised by the result at Wexford Park last weekend, but I wasn’t that surprised. I did think they would have enough for Wexford but in saying that they had some holidays and some time off and I’d say they are a number of weeks behind other teams.

Were Galway impressive against Offaly or were Offaly poor? I’d be more inclined to go down the road that Offaly were very poor.

Galway will have a fair idea where they stand going back up the road on Saturday evening. Limerick are 2/5 and Galway are 9/4 in the match betting and I don’t think the gap should be that big.

I think it will be close and there will be a big crowd at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.

Limerick will want to get the show back on the road so for me I like Galway at +3 in the handicap betting at 21/20.

Clare v Wexford

I think Wexford can make it back-to-back wins. I was disappointed with Clare in the pre-season game against Limerick. There were very poor against Cork as well. Wexford beat Limerick and you have to take that at face value, it’s a very good result.

Going on all know form and from what I’ve seen this year Wexford for me are quite a decent price at even money.

Tipperary v Kilkenny

Neither team were impressive last weekend. I have said it openly that I’d be very concerned for Tipperary this year. New management team in, a lot of players gone. They are definitely in transition if you want to call it that or at least they are trying to find these new younger players to see if they can step up to the mark.

I know Kilkenny weren’t great against Antrim but you have to remember that this time last year Antrim were impressive in a number of their league games. Tipperary at 4/7 is crazy.

If I was pricing it up I would have Kilkenny as favourites even though they are playing away. Considering the way the games have gone and were the teams are I think the 13/8 in the match betting is huge.

Limerick v Galway ~ Match Betting
2-5 Limerick
9-4 Galway
10 Draw

Clare v Wexford ~ Match Betting
EV Clare
EV Wexford
8 Draw

Tipperary v Kilkenny ~ Match Betting
4-7 Tipperary
13-8 Kilkenny
9 Draw

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More about the author:

Shane Dowling is a hurler for club side Na Piarsaigh and previously played at inter-county level for the Limerick senior hurling team.

In 2016 he won a Senior Club Hurling Championship with Na Piarsaigh. He won four Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship titles as well as five Limerick Senior Hurling Championships.

He also won a prestigious All-Star award in 2014.

In July 2020 Dowling sadly announced his retirement from inter-county hurling due to knee issues aged 27.

He currently appears on RTE and other media outlets as a hurling pundit.