National Hurling League

Nickie Quaid has been a hugely influential figure in five All-Ireland triumphs but John Kiely must now plan without the outstanding goalkeeper

Limerick and Cork look most likely to duel it out for silverware, Wexford will likely struggle to stay in the top flight, Dublin and Waterford will be gunning for promotion

Teams nationwide must adapt as quickly as possible to the new regulations and it’s going to be fascinating to see how it all shakes out

RTÉ's live league coverage kicks off with Galway v Armagh in Salthill on January 25th

Hurling finalists Clare and Cork open their campaigns agaisnt Kilkenny and Wexford

Aidan McCarthy ends evening with a tally of 2-10 as Banner seal league crown in exciting league final

Having added consistency to his exceptional skills and athleticism, the Clareman has become the outstanding player in the league

Both teams will have it harder than in poorly contested semi-finals but Brian Lohan’s Clare can edge out impressive Kilkenny in Division One final

As experienced Clare forward David Reidy points out, for all their prominence in recent years, the Banner have claimed no national silverware since their 2016 league win

Experienced forward was injured in the league win over Offaly and will play no part in this weekend’s final against Clare

Derry meet Dublin in the Division One football final in Croke Park at 4pm

Dublin are still leagues apart; Tipperary are lacking leaders; the mystery of Cathal O’Neill; Tyrone left in state of despair; Clare see a clear path

After an underwhelming afternoon with no major surprises, Dublin will play Derry in the Division One final and Roscommon join Monaghan in falling to relegation

David Fitzgerald continued his lordly league form but Brian Lohan’s side were helped by a Tipp team that hit 18 wides

Cats take advantage of careless Limerick to score three goals in the first half-hour

If Derek Lyng’s side are to end a painful losing sequence against Limerick in Saturday’s National Hurling League Division One semi-final, they will need young players to rise to the challenge

Imminence of the Munster championship makes Limerick and Clare potentially contesting a league final sub-optimal but needs must

League semi-final gives Kilkenny another chance to throw down the gauntlet to imposing champions Limerick

What might have been characterised as intrusions not so long ago are regarded as smart and willing choices now

Alan Connolly laid down a marker for the season ahead by registering his second consecutive hat-trick