The Allianz Hurling League throws-in this weekend with the clash of Kilkenny and Waterford one of the fixtures to look forward to straight away.
But how have the Division 1A sides changed since we last clapped eyes on them in the All-Ireland championship?
Division 1A
CORK
Cork manager Kieran Kingston ©INPHO/James Crombie
Last year... Cork started last year by being comprehensively beaten by Waterford in the National Hurling league final, before an unsatisfactory summer campaign which saw them lose to the same opponents by 3-19 to 1-20 in the Munster semi-finals. Their All-Ireland hopes were crushed by Galway in the quarter-finals by a 12 point margin.
Pre season form... The Rebels failed to reach the pre-season Munster Hurling League final, losing two and winning two en route.
Major change... Cork are under new management this season as Jimmy Barry Murphy's tenure ended to pave the way for his former selector Kieran Kingston to take the reins. As he tries to find his best team, he has already confirmed that he will be testing out up to 50 players during the league.
DUBLIN
Last year... Dublin started last year's league in fine form with two wins before tailing off. The Leinster championship ended early in a heavy replay defeat to Galway when they shipped five goals. Progressing through the qualifier route, it took them all the way to an All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Waterford.
Pre season form... On January 30th, Dublin won the 2016 Walsh Cup by beating Wexford in the Croke Park final with Paul Ryan scoring 10 points.
Changes... All Star Danny Sutcliffe's decision to pull out of the panel is a major blow for the county.
Galway manager Micheal Donoghue ©INPHO/James Crombie
GALWAY
Last year... they might have reached the All-Ireland final but that came before a tense period of change.
Pre season form... They lost to Dublin by nine points in the Walsh Cup semi-finals after topping their group.
Changes... Well, Anthony Cunningham's left the manager's role spurred on by the players' willingness for change, leaving 2011 All-Ireland club title-winning Micheal Donoghue to take charge.
Kilkenny
Last year... All-Ireland champions. Again!
Pre season form... They finished bottom of their Walsh Cup group, losing both games against DIT and Offaly with under-strength sides.
Changes... Richie Power called it a day last month, while forward Ger Aylward's loss to injury is also a blow for Brian Cody to contend with.
Tipperary's Noel McGrath ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Tipperary
Last year... Tipp narrowly missed out on the 2015 league semi-finals as Waterford pipped them by a point, before going all the way in the Munster championship where they avenged that loss to the Deise.
However, despite scoring three goals in their All-Ireland semi-final against Galway, they still ended up on the losing side.
Pre season form... Tipp opted out of participation in the Munster Hurling League.
Changes... Lar Corbett has retired, while Michael Ryan succeeds Eamon O'Shea as Premier manager. Seamus Callanan misses the early weeks of the league.
Waterford
Last year... Winning the 2015 league was a sign of the progress made by the Deise. Kilkenny proved too strong in the All-Ireland semi-final, while they also lost the Munster final to Tipp.
Pre season form... Waterford were under-par in the Munster Hurling league, losing their first three games but ending with a win over Kerry.
Changes... The talented Pauric Mahony is expected back later in the year as Derek McGrath looks to build on the progress of 2015.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
