Munster rivals set to begin season with January games

LIAM Cahill has characterised January as a “balancing act" month as managers juggle the return of preseason competitions, strength and conditioning requirements and players' Fitzgibbon Cup commitments.

- BY STEPHEN BARRY

Speaking after recent challenge matches, Cahill, John Kiely and Ben O'Connor noted the logistical issues involved in fulfilling the schedule of New Year's fixtures.

Tipperary open their campaign on Saturday against Waterford at Clonmel Sportsfield (2pm throw-in).

Limerick meet Clare at the same time at Tulla before welcoming Cork to the Gaelic Grounds on Wednesday (7.35pm).

For Cahill, the return of the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League, after a year off, means they will have to adjust their All-Ireland-winning template from 2025.

"It does change the dynamics of how we prepared last year versus this year because there was a huge opportunity to do a high volume of physical work," he said.

"Now, trying to get the physical work in and coordinate it with games coming is difficult. We did play a number of challenges in January last year, so these Munster League games will be organised as competitive challenge games, for the want of a better word.