A glance at the competing counties in Division 4 shows up no representation from the provinces of Connacht and Ulster.
This is the league, so we're not classifying London as a Connacht team. What's left are sides scattered across Munster and Leinster. There has been talk of a third tier in the All-Ireland championship, no doubt aimed at some in this section.
Whether or not there would be buy-in remains to be seen, with counties, perhaps, 'too proud' to take their place under the Tailteann Cup rung.
Wicklow might see themselves a cut above that and despite relegation last year, their championship run saw them defeat Westmeath, before subsequently losing narrowly to Kildare. In the Tailteann, they at least made the knockout round, going down to eventual winners Down.
Limerick came down with the Garden County last spring, with manager Jimmy Lee having to deal with the absences of a number of key players. An instant return would surpass expectations.
After coming so close to making the jump last year, with a contentious penalty award for Leitrim ultimately sealing their fate, Wexford will be confident that they can make amends 12 months on. John Hegarty is back for a third year in the hotseat.
Ballaghaderreen native Mike Solan (above) has been tasked with taking Longford out of the basement division, taking over from Paddy Christie.
He is an All-Ireland under-21 winning manager with his native Mayo in 2016 and was Andy Moran's right-hand man with the Leitrim senior football team in Moran’s first year in charge.
After leading Mayo to that under-21 title, he was in contention for the senior job when James Horan called time on his second tenure in charge of the team.
With no O'Byrne Cup to defend, Longford will be hoping to hit the ground running when they open their campaign at home to Limerick.
Another new man at the helm is Philly Ryan, as he is handed the keys in Tipperary. The former Premier custodian and minor manager will have a rebuilding job on his hands following retirements and the unavailability of some key personnel.
Carlow's now boss is Shane 'Cake' Curran. The St Brigid's man has coached in Roscommon, Offaly and Westmeath and replaced Niall Carew, who played a part in sourcing his replacement by sounding out Curran.
After propping up the Division 4 table last season, the only way is up for Waterford. The Déise did record a notable Munster championship win over Tipperary thereafter, to put some gloss on their year.
CARLOW
2024 league: Fifth in Division 4
2024 championship: Leinster preliminary round loss to Wexford; bottom of Tailteann Cup group
Manager: Shane Curran (first year in charge)
Squad news: A boost for the Barrowsiders is the return of Seán Murphy and Lee Walker. Murphy has been with the county's hurlers in recent seasons. Walker, after transferring to Graigecullen joined the Laois panel, but now has opted to be part of the Curran regime.
Colm Hulton, Eric Molloy and Josh Moore are amongst the names not available.
Prospects: Shane Curran's appointment is eye-catching in itself and the new boss will hope that his charges can be competitive throughout. Wins at home to Tipp and and away to Waterford will be required early on if they are to mount a serious promotion push.
League prediction: Sixth
LIMERICK
2024 league: Eight in Division 3
2024 championship: Munster quarter-final defeat to Cork; beaten by Sligo in Tailteann Cup quarter-final
Manager: Jimmy Lee (second year in charge)
Squad news: The long-serving Danny Neville will miss the early rounds after breaking a bone in his foot, though better news sees captain Iain Corbett (below) return after a recent injury, as well as Barry Coleman and Tony McCarthy. James Naughton, Peter Nash, Tommy Child and Cillian Fahy are amongst the regulars who will be striving to aid a Treaty upturn.
Adrian O'Brien had previously worked with Limerick under Jimmy's brother Billy, and he comes in as performance coordinator.
Micheàl Cahill is head coach having spent a number of seasons with Clare, while Dylan Kenny will still be looking after the strength and conditioning.
Prospects: Can get back to winning games again, and if Lee has full hand to play with, could be competitive towards the top end of the table.
League prediction: Third
LONDON
2024 league: Seventh in Division 4
2024 championship: Connacht quarter-final loss to Galway; lost to Antrim in Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final
Manager: Michael Maher (sixth year in charge)
Squad news: Maher has pretty much the same group to pick from, with Cahir Healy moving to a selectorial role after many years a player.
Prospects: Tough start with games against Wexford and Wicklow, will need to make McGovern Park a bit of a fortress if they are to show improvement from 2024.
League prediction: Seventh
LONGFORD
2024 league: Fourth in Division 4
2024 championship: Beaten by Meath in Leinster preliminary; bottom of Tailteann Cup group
Manager: Mike Solan: (first year in charge)
Squad news: The loss of influential midfielder Darren Gallagher (pictured) is a blow, with the St Mary's Granard player taking a break from the game. Michael Quinn announced his retirement in the autumn and three more Killoe players - Daniel Mimnagh, Mark Hughes and Liam Hughes - are also absent from the extended squad just named.
Prospects: Solan is a well-regarded coach and a mid-table finish is possibly the best he can hope for in his maiden season.
League prediction: Fourth
TIPPERARY
2024 league: Sixth in Division 4
2024 championship: Munster quarter-final loss to Waterford; Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final loss to Limerick
Manager: Philly Ryan (first year in charge)
Squad news: The new manager has drafted in a lot new names to his squad, but the retired Conor Sweeney along with other regulars such as Shane O'Connell, Evan Comerford and Colm O’Shaughnessy are not involved.
Prospects: It could be another tough campaign for Tipp. Finishing in the top half would at least be progress.
League prediction: Fifth
WATERFORD
2024 league: 8th in Division 4
2024 championship: Munster semi-final loss to Clare; third in Tailteann Cup group
Manager: Paul Shankey (second year in charge)
Squad news: Much the same deck to work with for Shankey as the Déise seek a more meaningful league return.
Prospects: Tough start away to Wicklow; home games against Carlow and Tipp to follow are ones they'll be targeting.
League prediction: Eight
WEXFORD
2024 league: Third in Division 4
2024 championship: Leinster quarter-final defeat to Louth; bottom of Tailteann Cup group
Manager: John Hegarty (third year in charge)
Squad news: Hegarty has added former player Brian Malone to his coaching ticket. The Shelmaliers clubman made over 170 appearances for the Yellowbellies. The squad remains more or less the same.
Prospects: Last year's league showing was an improvement on 2023 and their score difference was far superior to Leitrim's, who edged them out on the head-to-head rule for promotion. Hegarty feels his troops can push on.
League prediction: Second
WICKLOW
2024 league: Seventh in Division 3
2024 championship: Leinster quarter-final loss to Kildare; Tailteann Cup quarter-final defeat to Down
Manager: Oisín McConville (third year in charge)
Squad news: Former Roscommon star Frankie Dolan has joined McConville's backroom team.
Prospects: After two seasons in Division 3, the Garden County can make a swift return. On paper they have is a 'handy start' and maximum points against Waterford, London and Wexford can set them on their way.
League prediction: First
