Rebels need to hit ground running
Diarmuid Sheehan takes a look ahead to what should be another exicting National League campaign for the Rebels
THIS year’s National Hurling League Division 1A has all the ingredients necessary to provide one of the best league competitions in many years.
At this stage, it would be hard to argue that any of the six sides competing are not worthy of a spot in the top flight however the absence of All Ireland Champions Galway in the top tier will always take away from the excitement – that said, Galway cruised to the title last year without getting out of their group, which was topped by Wexford, so don’t be surprised to see them back in the latter stages of this competition.
Cork start their quest for the first national title of the year with an eagerly awaited clash with the Kilkenny Cats.
The black and amber will be eager to stop the old enemy in their tracks before Cork and new manager John Meyler can get a run on the league, but Kilkenny will be looking to get their own head of steam up as they look to first secure safety before then looking to push on.
Right now, Kilkenny are not the force of a few years ago, but it is unlikely that Brian Cody will accept that. He will expect a performance from his side in every game and will probably put more stock in this league race than any others in the recent past.
From a Cork point of view, safety will clearly be the first and major objective from this season’s league. Cork were relegated a number of years ago and despite coming back soon after, the lack of tier one games early that season was a serious impediment to a credible championship challenge.
Cork will look to get points on the board early this so they won’t have to rely on getting something from Tipperary in the final game at the home of hurling.
Under new manager Meyler, Cork will be organised, they will be primed and they will be hungry but whether they are good enough only time will tell. Many questions remain regarding Cork’s season last year.
Flash in the pan? Start of something great? Or tangible signs of real progression? Cork will be one of the stories this year and all on Leeside will be hoping it’s a pleasant read.
Much of the attention this time round will be on Wexford and Davey Fitzgerald. The Leinster side have been transformed of late, beating Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup was of course played down by the Clare native but in reality, there appears to be some shifting sands in the East and Wexford may well be the next serious challenge from that part of the country.
Players of the calibre of Lee Chin have been grabbing all the headlines in recent times with the Wexford support bulging to near 1996 levels – something that this side seem to able to feed off.
Wexford will be credible league contenders this season but like all the other protagonists they will be well aware that the drop is every bit as much on the cards as the title. On paper, there is little between all six sides however when it comes to form the books would perhaps favour Wexford for some glory.
Clare are another side that come into this season’s National Hurling League with plenty to play for. The Banner will have a seriously depleted side this league season with the likes of Cian Dillon and Aaron Cunningham abroad while Patrick Donnellan and Brendan Bugler have retired from intercounty action.
The Munster side will also start without Jamie Shanahan, Cathal McInerney and Oisin O’Brien as all three are out injured at the moment while Aaron Shanagher is long term injured also.
As if that wasn’t enough, Colin Ryan and Darach Honan are also unavailable due to retirement, but Clare rising star Diarmuid Ryan, is likely to play some part after the Harty Cup competition is completed.
Clare will have it all to do this season and a start against Tipperary may well be the toughest assignment in round one of this season’s competition.
The penultimate side in this season’s title race is the Premier County. After a 2017 that failed to provide a satisfactory follow on from the All Ireland of the previous year Tipperary will head into 2018
All six sides will look to progress, all will need to hit the ground running... watch this space
looking to restore a sense of aura that was gathering around this hugely talented outfit.
Tipp topped division 1A last season after some impressive results. Three wins, a draw and one loss in the round robin section gave the impression that the All Ireland champions would impress again however the season went downhill from there which surprised many.
Manager Michael Ryan will be under pressure to produce this season and that will begin in the National Hurling League. Tipp will be desperate to make it to at least the quarter finals and after that progression to the latter stages would be a bonus.
Tipp will use the league to blood potential new talent but like all others, relegation would be seen as something of a disaster.
Last but by no means least are the Deise. Waterford are side that are probably still suffering from last year’s championship after coming up just short again. This year the men from the south east will need to get back in the saddle early or they may end up going backwards.
Waterford are a side that seem to relish the challenge and feed off their support and form but another fall at the last hurdle last season may well have taken its toll – only time will tell on that one.
Waterford will be in the mix in this league campaign but will need to start well as some of their latter games could go either way. Players like Austin Gleeson will have a massive impact again and that should and probably will start with the National League.
All six sides will look to progress, all will need to hit the ground running and to be fair all really do have a chance but one will need to go to most likely accommodate Galway in 2019 – watch this space.