Timing is everything - split-season calendar sharpens focus on hurling pre-season

Ah, January hurling.

For the players: boggy or frozen pitches and the ever-present threat of horizontal rain. But also the chance to play a proper match.

For the fans: Lots of warm layers, rain gear and the chance to get out of the house. Even if the enthusiasm at the return of inter-county action isn't always matched by the quality of the fare on offer.

The Munster Hurling League began on Tuesday when Davy Fitzgerald's first selection as Waterford manager (version 2.0) edged Liam Cahill's as Tipp boss. The game was played in Mallow as the pitch in Dungarvan was unplayable. Cork beat Kerry on Thursday and Tipp are back in action against Clare today.

The Walsh Cup, Leinster's top-tier pre-season equivalent, started yesterday, with Dublin's victory over Antrim, and continues today with Galway, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Wexford all in action. The Model men have also sold 10,000 tickets for the visit of the Cats on Saturday 21 when the new floodlights at Wexford Park will be premiered.

The traditional curtain-raisers to the hurling year have always been seen as a time to try new players and build fitness before the Allianz Hurling League. But with the six-week break between league and championship that was in place in 2019 reduced to two weeks since the introduction of the split-season last year, is the January run out now that bit more important ?

Kieran Kingston completed his second stint as Cork manager last year. His side reached the league final in April but that run seemed to impact them in championship as they lost their first two games before rallying to qualify from Munster.

"With the congested nature of the season that we have now and where teams are in their own evolution, they will be looking at it very