20 October 2011
Antrim have three of their five National Hurling League Division 1B games at home this season as the provisional fixtures for next year's competition were announced yesterday. Under new boss Gerry Wallace the Saffrons start with a home game against Wexford on February 26th before travelling to Clare on March 11th. they are on the road again the following week when they travel to Offaly on March 18th but they end their campaign with home ties against Laois and Limerick on March 25th and April 1st.
Limerick and Clare are expected to open up Division 1B under lights at the Gaelic Grounds.
The game has been provisionally set for Saturday, February 25, although there is a possibility that the round one fixture could take place on the night before.
Speaking recently, GAA director general Paraic Duffy has not ruled out the possibility of Friday evening league games between neighbouring counties or those within the vicinity of one another.
Limerick are also shaping up to take on Offaly under lights on Saturday, March 24.
Next year’s Allianz Hurling League will start two weeks later than usual because of the smaller divisions — six teams next year as opposed to the previous eight.
Four of the five rounds in Division 1A and 1B are expected to take place on consecutive weekends in March and April.
Provisional 2012 Allianz Hurling League fixtures:
DIVISION 1A – February 26: Cork v Waterford, Galway v Dublin, Kilkenny v Tipperary;
March 11: Dublin v Cork, Tipperary v Galway, Waterford v Kilkenny
March 18: Cork v Galway, Kilkenny v Dublin, Tipperary v Waterford.
March 24: Dublin v Tipperary
March 25: Cork v Kilkenny, Galway v Waterford
April 1: Waterford v Dublin, Kilkenny v Galway, Tipperary v Cork.
DIVISION 1B – February 25: Limerick v Clare
February 26: Offaly v Laois, Antrim v Wexford
March 11: Clare v Antrim, Wexford v Offaly, Laois v Limerick
March 18: Offaly v Antrim, Wexford v Limerick, Laois v Clare.
March 24: Limerick v Offaly
March 25 Clare v Wexford, Antrim v Laois
April 1: Wexford v Laois, Offaly v Clare, Antrim v Limerick.
