Finally the hurling is back on Saturday. 1A & 1B again will be very interesting.

1A It's so competitive that only 2 wins can you get into the QFs. Tipp didnt play in any pre season competition and this may go against us vs the Dubs for starters Saturday night. After a good Walsh Cup they have competitive action under their belt while Tipp have been trying out new lads in almost every meaningless challenge game. I think either Cork or Dublin could win it. Kilkenny are they even back training or still on holiday !!!! .Will Cody go for youth again and unearth some more gems. Tipp could be involved in a dogfight more than likely with Waterford. Galway are unknown for me still with the new manager and all that hard to know will that have any bearing but I doubt they would be in relegation they have a good squad now they need let that talent shine through.

1B Again Limerick are stuck there but I think they have enough talent to get out of Div 1B this year even minus their Na Piarshaig players. Clare have a few injuries already and this will cost them dearly. Wexford without the Ballagh boys for early rounds will be not as strong. Offaly have been Limeirck's nemises for the past 2 years but I dont expect them to do the same again this year. Those 4 should be in the QFs anyway and Laois & Kerry are dead certs for the relegation playoff.

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 08/02/2016 16:32:58    1823609

After Laois beat Offaly in last year's championship, I wouldn't say they are dead certs to be in the relegation play-offs.

I don't any team has ever had to work so hard for a promotion as Kerry did. They are there on merit after back-to-back 2A titles and having to get through a play-off as well. 1B is an undoubted step up in class. It'll be a far greater experience than 10 years in 2A. It's hard to see Kerry getting the points to avoid the play-off. The loser of the play-off will take on the 2A winners. There'll be a lot of hurling to be played.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7827 - 08/02/2016 19:34:44    1823680

I saw Dublin in the Walsh Cup semi against Galway and while Galway were below par on the day the Dubs were impressive, their team work, speed, and long range point taking being what impressed me the most.I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they beat Tipp at the weekend and go on to do very well in the league.
Waterford V KK , I fancy Waterford to take this by a narrow margin.
Galway V Cork, unless there has been huge improvement since the Walsh cup exit to Dublin I expect Cork to record a second win in a row in Salthill.
Division 1B is between Clare and Limerick in my view.

Barnowl94 (Galway) - Posts: 3150 - 10/02/2016 17:12:39    1824471

Tipp v Dublin, Tipp
Galway v Cork, Cork
Waterford v Kilkenny, Waterford

Limerick v Wexford, Limerick
Clare v Offaly, Clare
Laois v Kerry, Laois

Only possible upsets here that I can see are wexford springing a surprise or Dublin. Hope Waterford play a more attacking game this year, not that I didn't enjoy watching them last year but I think that system struggles with KK and to push on and beat the cats they will need to commit more bodies forward.

Great to have the hurling back!

hurlinspuds (Cork) - Posts: 1494 - 11/02/2016 15:24:33    1824721

Absolutely spuds,can't believe another hurling season is upon us already.Looking forward to a lot of high quality games in the league this year as it has been getting more competetive over the last few years.I like the current format.Only five games,so teams have to hit the ground running.All games hard to call this weekend but heres my go -
Tipp v Dublin - Tipp
Galway v Cork - Galway
Waterford v KK - Kk.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 11/02/2016 15:55:20    1824730

Think it's best to come over here to the darkside for a while as there's a few amadáns on the football forum who could start a row with Jesus.
Anyway , here's my tuppence.

Tipp v Dublin - Dublin
Galway v Cork - Galway
Waterford v Kilkenny -Waterford

Limerick v Wexford, Limerick
Clare v Offaly, Clare
Laois v Kerry, Laois

SLLY (Dublin) - Posts: 463 - 11/02/2016 17:21:01    1824758

Div 1b looks decent as well.I fancy Clare to get promoted.They have a couple of injuries but the squad is strong.Plenty of strength in depth.As do Limerick,and Wexford to a lesser degree.Laois,even with their excellent progress of recent years,are a fair bit behind Clare & Limerick.Offaly are a pale shadow of previous teams.Hopefully they can show some promise this year.Good to see Kerry in this division and they will fancy their chances v Laois & Offaly.This weekends games -
Limerick v Wexford - Limerick
Clare v Offaly - Clare
Laois v Kerry - Laois.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 11/02/2016 18:09:06    1824776

Galway vs Cork is hard to call this weekend but I do think Galway are fair candidates for relegation this year. Personally I wont be too bothered if we are.

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1902 - 11/02/2016 20:48:39    1824822

It'll be a tough year for Kerry no doubt. After the first two rounds of the league last year a final place didn't even look likely, let alone promotion via the play-off. The target last year was very much on winning the Ring Cup.

Like the Munster Hurling League, realistically I can't see a win being registered. For a team that has been used to winning, I hope they can compete as well as possible and not get disheartened. 1B hurling was very much unexpected and is bonus territory. The Leinster Qualifier Group is the appropriate level for this Kerry team. 1B hurling is far better preparation than 2A for the championship.

Laois are capable of making the quarter-finals at the expense of Offaly. Kerry will most likely be involved in the 1B promotion/relegation play-off for the third year running.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7827 - 11/02/2016 21:17:50    1824831

Tipperary v Dublin draw
Waterford v Kilkenny Waterford
Galway v Cork Cork
Limerick v Wexford Limerick
Clare v Offaly Clare
Laois v Kerry Kerry

clonjon (Dublin) - Posts: 665 - 12/02/2016 12:36:42    1824898

HUGE couple of months for Kerry hurling, they are going to take a few thumping's at this level, its all about staying as competitive as possible and not dropping the heads. If we can survive in the Division it will be an massive, massive achievement.

If we could manage a performance that runs the likes of Wexford to a few points it will be a great result, and you never know we could nick a win or draw from somewhere.

Hopefully they will get a big crowd following them, especially at home. Its a pity there's only going to be one double header played in the next few weeks.

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 12/02/2016 13:56:28    1824922

Wins for Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Clare, and Laois.

Condorman (Dublin) - Posts: 983 - 12/02/2016 14:03:42    1824927

Tipperary v Dublin Tipp
Waterford v Kilkenny Kilkenny
Galway v Cork Galway
Limerick v Wexford Limerick
Clare v Offaly Clare
Laois v Kerry Laois

Wouldn't be surprised if kerry avoided the playoffs at Offalys expense. Ciaran Carey is a fantastic coach and mentor. They may shift hiddings against Clare and Limerick and maybe wexford but they'll be competitive with the rest.

It will be typical of limerick to gain promotion this year just as the structures are about to change! But im excited to see how our young stars go in the league, in particular Barry Nash, Diarmuid Byrnes and Richie English. Hannon seems to be on form so far too which is promising. I think we can have a good campaign despite missing the na piarsigh players. I think we could be the waterford of this year. Especially considering our young players coming through consistently beat waterfords young players that they brought through last year. (last 3 minor years in a row).

blackspot91 (Limerick) - Posts: 1055 - 12/02/2016 14:14:30    1824931

Tipp v Dublin - Dubs
Galway v Cork - Galway
Wateford v Kilkenny - Cats

Limerick v Wexford - Limerick
Clare v Offaly - Clare
Laois v Kerry - Laois

In 1B I would be very surprised if Offaly were in relegation play off. I know Laois & Kerry have been making great strides over the year but with Eamon Kelly now in charge I feel they will be a different animal this year.
His a good up & coming manager and had success with Kerry and this step up will be a challenge for him personally.

For Laois or Kerry one of them will go down which will be a disappointment given the great work being put in by such a minority in those counties.

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 12/02/2016 15:44:00    1824949

Tipperary v Dublin Tipp
Waterford v Kilkenny Waterford
Galway v Cork Galway
Limerick v Wexford Limerick
Clare v Offaly Clare
Laois v Kerry Laois

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1780 - 12/02/2016 16:10:29    1824958

Great to have the hurling back again, been looking forward to this for ages. It will be interesting to see how Kerry get on against Limerick and Clare in 1b (given that Kerry are will go into a Leinster Quarter final, instead of a Munster QF, should they qualify from the provincial group).
One thing, is the same promotion/relegation playoff system being used this year as well? No offence to Donegal, but it is odd seeing them still in 2B, despite losing all their games in the division last year, while Tyrone are still in 3A, despite not losing a game and finishing top of the division last year. Ah well.
Anyway, roll on the weekend, here's hoping for good games, well attended.
Predicitions:
Tipperary v Dublin: Draw
Waterford v Kilkenny: Waterford
Galway v Cork: Galway
Limerick v Wexford: Limerick (but a close game)
Clare v Offaly: Clare
Laois v Kerry: Kerry (Laois appear to have alot of new faces)
Derry v Antrim: Antrim
Kildare v Carlow: Carlow
London v Westmeath: Westmeath
Armagh v Down: Down
Mayo v Donegal: Mayo
Wicklow v Meath: Meath (seems to be issues in the Wicklow camp, at least going by the reports)
Fingal v Warwickshire: Fingal
Louth v Roscommon: Roscommon
Monaghan v Tyrone: Tyrone (hope Tyrone keep achieving)

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 12/02/2016 17:10:01    1824974

Great to have the hurling back.....love the intensity of the tight groups, but I just feel it's a little too short.....

I would prefer to rank Div 1 teams from 1 to 12 (total rank 78, avg rank 6.5).....then have 1, 2, 3, 10, 11 and 12 play the other 6 teams (all has a 6-match schedule with an equal total rank opponent strength of 39).

To increase league schedule to 8 matches - divide the 12 teams into 4 groups of 3 to determine opponents for extra 2 matches -
A (1, 2, 3); D (10, 11, 12); B (4, 7, 8); and C (5, 6, 9) - I have handicapped the strongest sides, gave the weakest a break, and balanced the middle 6.

One league table after the 6 or 8 matches - top 8 to KO QFs - 1v8, 2v7 etc.; in SFs, Highest v Lowest QF winners (awards higher seeding).
League table determines the ranking and schedule for the following year.
Do the same with 12-team Div 2.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2573 - 12/02/2016 17:29:00    1824978

Kerry can go through the 5 regular league games without a win and lose the 1B relation play-off but have a play-off against the 2A winner in order to avoid relation. If Kerry are in that play-off, it'll be the third year in-a-row.

It is harsh on Antrim, Carlow and Westmeath being in Division 2A. I've always been in favour of top 2 divisions of 8 each with 2 up and down between those divisions. Still its a never ending discussion. Let's enjoy the hurling on the park.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7827 - 12/02/2016 21:35:31    1825023

Had a slight confidence going into tonight's game with Tipp but looking at the team there are some concerns. Joey Boland at 2???? Young inexperienced half back line, though talented. 1 physical ball winner in the forwards and he's in the corner.

Short ball game including puckouts which has the potential to go horribly wrong when Tipp close up on it. Debutant in goal to tonight.

Always nice to win won't be a disaster to lose but a hiding might have a big effect on some of the young lads. Going to say Tipp by 5

Elsewhere in the division I'll go Galway and Waterford. 1b wins for Limerick Clare and Kerry. And in 2 I'll go Derry Westmeath and carlow

Brianmac78 (Dublin) - Posts: 1168 - 13/02/2016 12:14:29    1825058

I was way off

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 13/02/2016 20:49:42    1825184