2025 will see a restructuring of the Allianz Hurling League, with a new-look Division 1A comprising the top seven teams. It's a section that the top sides will be aiming for, in spite of Dónal Óg Cusack's view that the league is "never going to be a priority for the top teams".
The Cork All-Ireland winning goalkeeper was speaking on RTÉ's Allianz League Sunday and added that the short gap between the league final and the start of the championship will limit the ambition for many counties with regard to lifting the spring silverware.
That said, Limerick in recent seasons have followed league success with Liam MacCarthy glory.
"For everyone outside Tipperary, the league final is going to be two weeks before they play championship," Cusack said when looking ahead to April.
As for the changes to the respective divisions next year, Cusack favoured the move to rank teams on merit, adding that it will be good preparation for championship.
So to recap on how teams will be ranked in 2025, the finishing positions in 2024 will be taken into account.
The top three teams in 1A and 1B will be placed in the new 1A for 2025, along with the better performing fourth-placed team. The bottom five will be tipped into 1B, along with top teams from this year's 2A.
From next year 1B will have no link with it other than promotion/relegation.
"It's definitely a better balance and the league is about the balance," Cusack added.
"Management are trying to blood new players. Can those who played in the winter competitions hack it in the league? It's about teams getting their systems up and going, their style of play etc, etc.
"In general [the restructure] is definitely an improvement because none of the teams won't want to be in Division 1B next year because it won't be good preparation for the championship."
