GAA National Hurling League 2019 preview and tips

National Hurling League season preview

Limerick claimed their first All-Ireland title in 45 years just five months ago but it all starts again as the 2019 National Hurling League kicks off at Semple Stadium on Saturday.

Six teams go to post in Division 1A and all have different motivations for this competition as they attempt to set up their season for a tilt at Liam MacCarthy later this year.

Reigning league champions Kilkenny put huge emphasis on this campaign in 2018 which allowed manager Brian Cody to develop his squad and led to a relatively successful season for the Cats.

Although Cody’s men departed the championship at the quarter-final stage, they lost to Limerick and were unlucky not to gain Leinster success.

Limerick began their season in 1B, gained promotion and just lost out to Tipperary after extra-time in the league semi-final before their famous championship run.

Like Limerick in 2018, Clare are on an upward curve having been denied a place in the All-Ireland final by the width of a post and they will be keen to state their credentials early in the year.

It all began with a ten-point hammering of Tipperary in the Munster League final in January. Having taken over in 2016, joint-managers Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor have slowly brought Clare back to life after some barren years following their 2013 All Ireland success.

Clare began the league in rip-roaring fashion in 2018, winning their first three games, and while they face a tough test away to Tipperary in round one, they have three home games (against Kilkenny, Wexford and Limerick) this year which will be crucial.

They were unbeaten in Cusack Park in 2018, including a comprehensive victory over Limerick in the Munster Championship, and if they can make that home form count, they should go close to topping Division 1A.

Of the other contenders, Tipperary will have the most to prove this season and Liam Sheedy takes over the reins in search of All-Ireland glory. They will be on a rebuilding mission this season having crashed out of the championship early last year and will be looking to build on the success of their Under-21 All-Ireland winning team of last year.

Limerick put huge focus on the league last year but that is unlikely to be the case this time as they ease themselves into the season, having only returned from their holiday a few weeks ago. Cork and Wexford will be hoping for a bright start, with Cork having performed especially poorly in the league last year before a positive Championship run that included a Munster success.

This year, however, the outright winners may come from 1B. Galway are practically guaranteed to reach the knockout stages of the league and they could be primed to make an early burst. Although just a pre-season competition, the fact that Joe Canning appeared twice in the Walsh Cup is a statement in itself.

Galway will have been disappointed with their showing in 2018 as they failed to hit the heights of the previous campaign and they should be back to top form. They have the benefit of a relatively easy start and by the time the knockout stages come around, they will be just as well, if not better, prepared than the teams in 1A.

Recommendations
Clare to finish top of Division 1A
2pts 4-1 Paddy Power
Galway to win Division 1
1pt 4-1 Paddy Power

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