By James McMahon
In recent weeks the rains have given way to more benign conditions. The lack of a drying breeze, however, means that the when the serious business gets going this weekend, the sliotar is hardly likely to zip around the fields with much intent.
That said, hurling fans will relish the resumption of competitive fare. The fixture planners have lined up some juicy encounters and because of the nature of Divisions 1A and 1B, an opening-day defeat could jeopardise prospects of a play-off berth and instead have the spectre of relegation looming large.
Division 1A
Saturday 14 February
1900 Cork v Kilkenny, Páirc Uí Rinn (live on Setanta Sports Ireland)
Sunday 15 February
1400 Dublin v Tipperary, Parnell Park (Live on TG4)
1400 Galway v Clare, Pearse Stadium
In the words of Joe Dooley, Division 1A is "extremely competitive, perhaps too competitive".
He said: "There may not be too many opportunities for teams to try out new players. That’s what the league was once about – experimenting and all that. Winning your home games will be crucial in the weeks ahead."
The participants: Clare, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny and Tipperary.
The top four in the standings will qualify for the quarter-finals, with the fifth and sixth placed teams squaring off in a relegation play-off.
Kilkenny are the holders. Last May saw them win an eight title under the tutelage of Brian Cody.
While Dooley has the height of respect for the Cats, he thinks they may struggle against Cork in their opening game.
"Kilkenny are Kilkenny and you should never discount them no matter what state they’re in," added the three-time All-Ireland winner.
"They’ve had the retirements of key players, have a few out injured and are missing the Ballyhale lads. I suspect there will be a cracking atmosphere at Páirc Uí Rinn and that may suit Cork more than Kilkenny.
So what of the Rebels?
“The scars of the defeat to Tipperary [last year’s All-Ireland hurling semi-final] may not have healed full yet,” says Dooley.
“Making amends for that bad loss will, I suspect, drive them on this year. Mark Landers is now part of Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s backroom team and that’s a good choice.
"Jimmy Barry has also added some of the recent minors to the squad. Cork have not excelled in the underage grades in recent years and it will be interesting to see how well the call-ups do.
“Cork will be all out to do well in the league and, along with Kilkenny, will be relishing the prospect of also facing Clare and Tipperary on their home patch.”
The pressure cooker
Much focus this year will be on Anthony Cunningham and Davy Fitzgerald in their role steering the respective ships in Galway and Clare.
After getting the Tribesmen to an All-Ireland final in 2012, Cunningham did not make much headway in his subsequent two years in charge.
Dooley believes that the westerners still have much to offer and have the players to do well.
"Galway have a strong panel and with the likes of Joe Canning and Conor Cooney absent for a while it will give a chance for others to step up. I’ll be keeping an eye on Jason Flynn in their attack," said the former Offaly manager.
"The manner of their win in the Walsh Cup will have them in good fettle ahead of the league. This is a do-or-die year for Galway and Anthony Cunningham.
"A number of U-21s from last year are going to get their chance against Clare on Sunday. A good league run is vital for Galway before a likely meeting with Dublin in the championship."
Clare did get to a league semi-final in 2014, but the championship saw them exit the stage in the second week of July. The expectation is that the Banner will be around a bit longer in the race for Liam MacCarthy this year.
Our analyst feels that Clare are well positioned to bounce back in 2015, but it may take few matches for them to fully get going.
"Clare are coming off the back of a disappointing year. Another U-21 success was a bright spot for them and I’m sure Davy will have a few selection headaches in picking many of his teams this year.
"With a number of the squad involved in Fitzgibbon Cup, they may find the opening games in the league a bit tricky. After Galway comes another away game against Cork.”
New regime v continuity
Ger Cunningham is the new man at the helm in Dublin. The former Cork custodian is expected to bring something different to the role after Anthony Daly’s tenure ended on a rather flat note.
Eamon O’Shea begins his final year in charge of Tipperary, before handing over the reins of power to Michael Ryan.
Both counties come face-to-face this weekend and “it’s a must-win game for Dublin”, according to Dooley.
“They’ve got some tough away games to come and they won’t want to be involved in another relegation scrap. Ger Cunningham has spoken about the talent coming through in Dublin, but I’m not sure we’ll see that many new players introduced.
"Dublin need to rediscover that winning feeling and I think they have the right man in charge to achieve that.”
“Tipperary are still the best bet to knock Kilkenny off their perch,” says the Offaly native.
And while there is a view that Tipperary’s sole focus in 2015 is getting their hands on Liam Mac, Dooley believes they should go all out to claim silverware later this spring.
“Winning the league, I think, would help Tipp in their drive to land the All-Ireland. They were so close to Kilkenny last year in the league final and the All-Ireland final. I’m sure the view in the county is that they can win both titles this year.
“Apart from Eoin Kelly and John O’Brien retiring, the squad is settled, though there a few injuries to contend with at the moment.
"Tipperary have unearthed some quality players in recent seasons in the shape of James Barry and I’m sure O’Shea will be looking to the All-Ireland-winning minor side from 2012 for future stars.”
Joe Dooley’s weekend winners: Cork, Galway and Tipperary.
Division 1B
Saturday 14 February
1900 Laois v Offaly, O'Moore Park
1900 Limerick v Waterford, Gaelic Grounds (Live on Setanta Sports 1)
Sunday 15 February
1400 Wexford v Antrim, Wexford Park
Division 1B also sees a group of six teams in the shape of Antrim, Laois, Limerick, Offaly, Waterford and Wexford.
The top side in the section will be promoted. Finishing in the top-four will guarantee a Division 1 quarter-final berth, while the sides, placed fifth and sixth, will face a winner-takes-all encounter to decide who stays in the second tier. For the loser, a date with the 2A winner awaits to see who goes up or down.
One from three
“In terms of promotion, it’s one from either Limerick, Waterford or Wexford,” says Tom Dempsey.
Of the trio, he goes with the widely-held view that the Shannonsiders will eventually come through to earn their ticket back to the top flight.
“Limerick will feel, and probably with much justification, that they should be in the top flight,” he adds.
“They have a good squad and all distractions seem to be in the past. I think they are decent bet to win the league this year That said, Waterford will give them a game on their home patch on Saturday night.
“Derek McGrath has given youth its fling and there’s a positive vibe coming from the camp. Like Limerick, they are desperate to get back to 1A.”
After their exploits last year, Wexford will feel that they can dine at the top table again.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Wexford this year,” says the man who got the vital goal when the Yellowbellies won their last All-Ireland in 1996.
“There is a pressure of sorts on the side now. We’ve had decent underage success in recent times and now the supporters want the seniors to bring home some silverware. However, the retirement of Keith Rossiter and the Andrew Shore’s suspension is a bit of setback.”
Crucially, the Model County have Limerick and Waterford at home in what will be pivotal games in the section.
Cheddar pride
Another county to make progress in recent seasons are Laois and Dempsey thinks they could cause a shock or two in the weeks ahead, though finishing on top of the pile looks beyond them.
"You would have to say that Laois are everybody's favourite team, at the moment and even last year I would have gone for 'Cheddar' Plunkett as manager of the year.
"Their currency is certainly higher than Offaly at the moment and we can expect a tight midlands derby on Sunday.
"Laois are good enough to make the quarter-finals again and that would leave Offaly and Antrim battling it out to avoid relegation."
Tom Dempsey's weekend winners: Limerick, Laois and Wexford
Division 2A
Sunday 15 February
1200 Westmeath v London, Cusack Park
1300 Kerry v Derry, Austin Stack Park
1400 Carlow v Wicklow, Netwatch Cullen Park
Division 2B
Sunday 15 February
1400 Down v Armagh, Páirc Esler
1400 Donegal v Mayo, Letterkenny
1400 Meath v Kildare, Trim
Division 3A
Sunday 15 February
1400 Roscommon v Louth, Athleague
1400 Fermanagh v Fingal, Brewster Park
1400 Tyrone v Monaghan, Healy Park
