Seán Moran
Most looking forward to? At last a proper championship. The past two years have been so attenuated with the restricted attendances, the Covid questionnaires, grounds being locked up quickly after matches have finished, forcing reporters into their cars to work, that to attend a normal afternoon's contest in (let's hope) good weather will be like a deliverance. The rumbling, rising roar of the crowd, as Dessie Hutchinson or Cian Lynch or whoever does something magical. It's back.
Least looking forward to? Without Covid, there's no more cruising up to the ground 20 minutes before throw-in and parking the car outside. Longer days, stretching into night. The unaccustomed chilliness that may become ambient until the championship makes inroads into May. And of course what on earth to do when August arrives.
The way to stop Limerick is . . . ? This is such a wide-eyed stage of the year. Until the provincial round-robins get started, we've no real idea what the teams will bring. Limerick are more than capable of running through the gears and hitting top speed in time for July. Yet as we view it now, their form hasn't been great and they're down players so maybe attrition will stop them. Otherwise, tie Cian Lynch and Kyle Hayes together in the manner of a three-legged race.
Player to watch? It's been one of the cliches du jour in the league: 'Waterford have deepened their panel . . .' That's probably because it looks entirely true. Looking through those new arrivals, Carthach Daly scorched the earth of Thurles in the league final, crowning a great debut campaign at centrefield. By local assessment, the 19-year old brother of Iarlaith could play anywhere from 2 to 15. We'll all be watching.
Munster/Leinster/All-Ireland champions? Waterford/Kilkenny/Limerick
Nicky English
Most looking forward to? Getting some certainty on the counties after all the ambiguity of league performances. The first two weekends and we'll have a level on where the teams are and what they're likely to do. Limerick, especially, as the relationship between their league and championship is complicated. Then you have Waterford and I'm looking forward to finding out is their exceptional league season the real deal.
Least looking forward to? I'm really not looking forward to having the hurling all done and dusted by the end of July. The purpose is to allow time for club championships but as far as I can see, there are county finals still down for the end of October. We're cramming the championship into such a short space of time. I can understand the general misgivings about it.
The way to stop Limerick is . . . ? One of the big dangers for Limerick is the round-robin format. It's a tough schedule for any team and makes big demands on a panel. Also, to limit Cian Lynch requires a man marker. He's so good at finding the pocket of space between someone minding the D and someone else who's supposed to keep an eye on him.
Player to watch? Dessie Hutchinson because of the goal-scoring threat, which can blow a match open; Cian Lynch because of the way he conducts the orchestra for Limerick and makes things happen; Tadhg de Búrca, who knits Waterford's defence together. He's such a good player and has been injured for two of the past four seasons so we're lucky to have him back.
Munster/Leinster/All-Ireland champions? Waterford/Kilkenny/Waterford
Malachy Clerkin
Most looking forward to? Normality. Crowds. My first game in the hurling championship last year had 8,000 people in Croke Park for Kilkenny v Wexford. My first one this year will be in a sold-out Walsh Park for Waterford v Tipperary. I haven't been in a full stadium anywhere since 2019. I don't even particularly like Walsh Park. I can't wait.
Least looking forward to? The frankly heroic levels of paranoia with which counties approach their public relations. No interviews, dummy teams, downright falsehoods masquerading as injury updates. There isn't another sport on the planet where the participants engage less with their public, nor one where the governing body tolerates it so meekly. But sure look, we go on.
The way to stop Limerick is . . . ? Have a whip-around to get Cian Lynch a ticket for one of Elon Musk's jaunts into space. Failing that, there's a real onus on Cork this week and Waterford next Saturday to plant some doubt into them. Maybe the terrible league means nothing but if they're wondering where they stand, even just a little bit, there's a six-day window to capitalise on it.
Player to watch? Maybe it's the fact that he's such an accomplished soccer player but I always think there's a touch of Robbie Fowler about Dessie Hutchinson. Doesn't get too worried about being involved in everything, might only have four or five touches in the whole game. But man does he make them count. It's no secret that Waterford are looking to be fuelled by goals, nor that they need Hutchinson to be dead-eyed as a finisher. The All-Ireland could hang on the number of chances he converts.
Munster/Leinster/All-Ireland champions? Limerick/Galway/Waterford
