CORK
Manager: Kieran Kingston (first year)
Last year: Second in Division 1A, beaten finalists
Kieran Kingston may have replaced Jimmy Barry-Murphy as Rebel boss, but there has not been wholesale change on the player front. It's mostly a case of as you were, with only a couple of players, such as William Leahy, pushing hard to break into the side. It's probably not overly surprising as Kingston was a coach under Barry-Murphy.
Cork's last league success came all the way back in 1998, when Barry-Murphy was in his first spell in charge, and it's hard to see them ending that wait. The Rebels have played a number of challenge games in the lead up to their NHL opener away to Galway, including a match against Ulster club champions Cushendall. The Rebels won the game with a very strong side, but both teams will have been delighted to have been involved in a tough, hard-hitting encounter.
The highly-rated Christopher Joyce also made his return from a cruciate injury in that match and his availability during any stage of the league would be a huge boost for the side.
Fixtures
February 14: Galway v Cork; February 20: Cork v Waterford; March 5: Dublin v Cork; March 12: Cork v Kilkenny; March 20: Tipperary v Cork
DUBLIN
Manager: Ger Cunningham (second year)
Last year: Third in Division 1A, beaten semi-finalists
Dublin manager Ger Cunningham has been handed an early-season boost with the news that Conal Keaney could make a return to the county fold. The 33-year-old, who is preparing for Ballyboden's All-Ireland football semi-final against Clonmel, was not expected to pull on the blue jersey, but he has said no decision has been made yet.
The Dubs enter the league on a high after some good performances en-route to the Walsh Cup. Oisin Gough, who captained Cuala to the Leinster final last season, has returned to the panel and should make the first NHL 15 of the year after a good January.
Eamonn Dillon, who scored 5-12 in the Walsh Cup, is another player to look out for. He was equally impressive in last year's competition, hitting 1-5 against Dublin IT, and Cunningham will be hoping he can push on, especially as Danny Sutcliffe has opted out for the year.
Fixtures
February 13: Tipperary v Dublin; February 20: Dublin v Galway; March 5: Dublin v Cork; March 13: Waterford v Dublin; March 20: Kilkenny v Dublin
GALWAY
Manager: Michael Donoghue (first year)
Last year: Fourth in Division 1A, beaten quarter-finalists
The pressure will be on Galway from the off after the Anthony Cunningham saga at the end of last season. For those who need a refresher, Galway got to the All-Ireland final, but lost in a replay to Kilkenny. Weeks later, the players voted against their manager leading the side in 2016 and, eventually, Cunningham tendered his resignation.
Clarinbridge man Michael Donoghue is the man in charge now, although his late appointment, coupled with Galway's holiday after Christmas, has ensured limited preparation time for the new season. Despite that, they performed well in January before losing out to Dublin in the Walsh Cup semi-final.
There's no reason why the Tribes men can't finish in the top four, securing a quarter-final spot as they aim for a first title since 2010. Equally so, trips to Dublin, Kilkenny and Waterford may yield little and a relegation play-off is also a strong possibility.
Fixtures
February 14: Galway v Cork; February 20: Dublin v Galway; March 6: Kilkenny v Galway; March 13: Galway v Tipperary; March 20: Waterford v Galway
KILKENNY
Manager: Brian Cody (18th year)
Last year: Fifth in Division 1A
Kilkenny took an unusual step in January as U21 manager Eddie Brennan took charge of the county for their Walsh Cup campaign. Despite the honour, the eight-time All-Ireland winner called for the abolition of the pre-season tournament as it put too much strain on players who already have a heavy workload.
The Cats have a superb record in the league as of late, reaching four of the last five finals and winning three of those encounters. Ger Aylward, who missed Glenmore's All-Ireland success against Coleraine last week, will miss the entire season due to a cruciate injury. Michael Fennelly and Joe Lyng, meanwhile, are short-term injury victims and will miss the league opener against Waterford.
Clara man Shane Prendergast will captain the side in 2016 and, after last year's scare when they needed a one-point play-off win against Clare to avoid relegation, they should be a stronger presence this time around.
Fixtures
February 14: Waterford v Kilkenny; February 21: Kilkenny v Tipperary; March 6: Kilkenny v Galway; March 12: Cork v Kilkenny; March 20: Kilkenny v Dublin
TIPPERARY
Manager: Michael Ryan (first year)
Last year: First in Division 1A, beaten semi-finalists
Tipperary may lead the pack when it comes to league wins, but their last success was all the way back in 2008. It will be somewhat of a new team trying to end that wait following the retirements of Lar Corbett, Conor O'Mahony, James Woodlock and Shane McGrath.
The Premier county opted out of January's Munster League, seemingly unaware it was to be a round-robin format, for fear of a lack of action. Instead, they competed in a number of challenge matches, but how valuable they were remains to be seen.
While the Munster League produced some full-blooded encounters, they were defeating Mary Immaculate College 7-29 to 0-6. A fine performance, but there's a chance they may not have had the tests needed heading into a difficult division.
Fixtures
February 13: Tipperary v Dublin; February 21: Kilkenny v Tipperary; March 6: Tipperary v Waterford; March 13: Galway v Tipperary; March 20: Tipperary v Cork
WATERFORD
Manager: Derek McGrath (third year)
Last year: First in Division 1B, champions
Of all the teams in the top division, most of the focus will be on Waterford to see if they can follow up on last year's superb season. Derek McGrath's side came from 1B to win the Division One competition outright and also reached the Munster final and All-Ireland semi-final.
The young guns are now a year older and have lost that element of surprise as they try to defend the title. McGrath opted to rotate heavily during the Munster League as he tries to find a few key players to bolster the squad.
Their tactical approach during the league will also be interesting. Much of last season's success was built on defensive solidity, so surely now the task will be to add some more variation to their attacking game. A big match against Kilkenny to start with and then two trips on the road. They need to be in a decent place heading into their last two fixtures at home.
Fixtures
February 14: Waterford v Kilkenny; February 20: Cork v Waterford; March 6: Tipperary v Waterford; March 13: Waterford v Dublin; March 20: Waterford v Galway
