Ahead of the opening weekend of the Allianz National Leagues, we take a look at the main questions which will be answered by the upcoming action.
How will James Horan’s second reign begin?
There is significant hype surrounding the men from the west, given Horan’s return. After pushing Dublin so close in the 2016 and 2017 All-Ireland finals, Mayo suffered an early championship exit last summer, but there is no doubting the potential of this side in the year ahead.
There is a belief within the county that there is enough young talent bursting through to help them challenge for honours this season. While the Connacht side have not competed for league titles in recent years, there is a sense they could be in need of a strong springtime campaign to kick-start their 2019 season.
It all gets under way against Roscommon on Saturday night.
Will the Dubs hit an early speed bump?
Heading to Clones without a host of top players including Ciarán Kilkenny and James McCarthy, with Cian O’Sullivan and Paul Mannion also likely to be rested, the reigning league and All-Ireland champions look as vulnerable as they likely will be at any point this season.
Monaghan have been strong in the league under Malachy O’Rourke and, after last year’s victory over the Sky Blues at Croke Park, they will be confident of taking a scalp in Clones.
A Monaghan victory on Sunday afternoon would blow Division One wide open.
Will Donegal take care of business?
Donegal are hot favourites to make a swift return to Division One, after relegation last season. Declan Bonner’s charges will draw observers from all over the country, with Stephen Rochford going in as selector.
With a clean bill of health, the reigning Ulster champions could have a real say in 2019.
The first order of business is to negotiate a safe path through Division Two, a campaign fraught with potential stumbling blocks. They open away to Clare, who are fresh off a McGrath Cup title and finished third in the division last year. If Tír Chonaill are not at their best, this could be an early banana skin.
Can Limerick deal with the target on their back?
All-Ireland champions Limerick are back in the top tier of the National Hurling League for the first time since 2010, and they are set for a baptism of fire away to Davy Fitzgerald’s Wexford side.
Teams target their ties against reigning All-Ireland champions, looking to lay down a marker for the year ahead. The Treaty will face that five times in Division 1A over the coming weeks.
Can this young crop handle the pressure that goes with success? They will need to be ready for it, with the Yellowbellies set to tear into them from the start on Sunday afternoon.
Can Tipp hit back against Clare?
The Banner hit Tipp for 4-19 in the Munster Senior League final two weeks ago, but it remains to be seen if the Gaelic Grounds played host to shadow-boxing for the pre-season final with the league opener looming, or if that was a true reflection of the sides.
Liam Sheedy’s men are looking to lay down a marker, particularly at Semple Stadium given their poor recent record at the Thurles venue. Winning your home games is key in the new championship structure, and making the ‘Home of Hurling’ a fortress once again will be high on Sheedy’s priority list.
Will Tipp get off to a winning start, or can Clare pick up their fourth consecutive win over their rivals?
Source: Read Full Article