It may only be February, but Tipperary look like being the team to beat once again.
The All-Ireland champions made it two wins out of two in the Allianz Hurling league yesterday, pulling clear in the second half against Waterford for a 1-18 to 15 points win.
The sides were level on 10 occasions in the first half, but the Premier county flexed their muscles after the break, with John McGrath’s goal proving decisive.
It was part of an impressive tally for the Loughmore Castleiney clubman, who hit 1-6 in total, 1-3 coming from play.
Elsewhere in Division 1A we saw just how big a difference a week makes. Reigning league champions Clare put last week’s humbling defeat to Cork behind them to cruise past Kilkenny in Ennis.
The Banner came flying out of the blocks, hitting 1-5 to just 0-2 in the opening 13 minutes, Aaron Cunningham with the early goal.
And despite a mid-game revival for the Cats, Aaron Shanagher found the net for Clare, who strolled to a 2-19 to 0-12 victory. That result leaves Kilkenny as the only team to lose their first two games. The Cats are already up against it in what will be a tight relegation battle.
Saturday night’s action also came as a surprise. Cork had impressed in their win against Clare in the opening round, while Dublin had been limp and lifeless in their defeat to Tipperary. But neither side appeared to have read the script at Pairc Ui Rinn, as Dublin powered past the Rebels, picking up their first win on a 2-19 to 1-14 scoreline.
Davy Fitz clearly has an X-factor. Maybe his optimum peak lifespan with a squad can be short due to his intensity, but he delivers results
— Henry Martin (@henrymartin1) February 19, 2017
In Division 1B, all the talk is about Davy Fitzgerald and Wexford. They looked dead and buried when they trailed Galway by six points midway through the second half yesterday, but for the second successive week they produced a big comeback, to win by 1-21 to 3-13.
With wins against Limerick and Galway under their belt, it leaves them in pole position for promotion to Division 1A.
Galway will be furious at letting the Model County back into a game they had seemingly put to bed, but they will be relieved to see Joe Canning back on the pitch, after his horrendous hamstring injury.
If he can keep doing things like this, the season may have some promise though…
No show like a Joe show @TribesmenGAA pic.twitter.com/AZ5Ysc7FKf
— Jarlath Doyle (@Jarlath_D) February 19, 2017
