Tony Kelly impressed for Clare in a convincing Co-op Superstores Munster Hurling League Final victory over Tipperary.
Saturday January 26
Allianz Hurling League Division 1A
Tipperary v Clare, Semple Stadium, 7pm
With Liam Sheedy back in the Tipperary managerial hotseat the blue and gold will want to respond following a disappointing 2018.
The Co-op Superstores Munster Hurling League Final loss was a setback so Tipperary will certainly be pumped up for Clare's arrival in Thurles.
Tony Kelly was influential in that decider for the Banner, who had some encouraging moments last year.
Having come within a whisker of reaching an All Ireland Final Donal Moloney and Gerry O'Connor know that a defining campaign awaits.
TIPPERARY: Brian Hogan; Cathal Barrett, Padraic Maher, Donagh Maher; Alan Flynn, Ronan Maher, Joe O'Dwyer; Michael Breen, Paddy Cadell; Dan McCormack, Noel McGrath, Patrick Maher; Jason Forde, Seamus Callanan, Jake Morris.
CLARE: Donal Tuohy; Jason McCarthy, David McInerney, Jack Browne; Aidan McCarthy, Conor Cleary, Cathal Malone; Shane Golden, Tony Kelly; Diarmuid Ryan, Niall Deasy, Ryan Taylor; Colin Guilfoyle, John Conlon, Michael O'Neill.
Sunday January 27
Allianz Hurling League Division 1A
Kilkenny v Cork, Nowlan Park, 2pm
Two proud and traditional outfits clash at Nowlan Park and a tasty encounter is expected.
Cork led an All Ireland Semi-Final by six points in the closing stages before Limerick launched a remarkable rally.
Paddy Deegan, Kilkenny, Peter Kilcullen, Chief Customer Officer, Allianz Ireland, Uachtaráin Cumann Lúthchleas Gael John Horan, Sean McGrath, CEO, Allianz Ireland, and Bill Cooper, Cork pictured at Croke Park this week.
Improving the depth of the Cork panel is one area John Meyler has acknowledged so some experimentation is likely in the League.
A team is being constructed by Brian Cody again; Kilkenny triumphed in this competition last year and the Cats were defiant when losing narrowly to Galway and Limerick in the Championship.
KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy; Paul Murphy, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; Conor Delaney, Paddy Deegan, Enda Morrissey; James Maher, Conor Fogarty; John Donnelly, Ger Aylward, Ger Malone; Billy Ryan, Kevin Kelly, Luke Scanlon.
CORK: Anthony Nash; Stephen McDonnell, Damien Cahalane, Conor O'Sullivan; Christopher Joyce, Tim O'Mahony, Sean O'Donoghue; Bill Cooper, Cormac Murphy; Daniel Kearney, Declan Dalton, Luke Meade; Jamie Coughlan, Aidan Walsh, Patrick Horgan.
Wexford v Limerick, Innovate Wexford Park, 2pm
The All Ireland champions know that Davy Fitzgerald will have Wexford diligently prepared for this opener.
Wexford have enjoyed many good moments under Fitzgerald, but they will want to take the next step on their journey.
That is exactly what Limerick achieved in 2018 with promotion followed by a stunning Championship adventure culminating in All Ireland glory.
Now Limerick are viewed as the team to beat which is a challenge John Kiely's outfit should relish.
LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid, Tom Condon, Sean Finn, Richie English; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Dan Morrissey; Cian Lynch, Colin Ryan; Gearoid Hegarty, Tom Morrissey, David Dempsey; Aaron Gillane, Seamus Flanagan, Peter Casey.
