It won't be long coming around now.

Hurling was the winner in the year 2018, but 2019 has all the ingredients to be an even more competitive hurling year. That's because there are more teams than ever before at such an even level in hurling right now. Galway and Limerick will lead the betting markets, but when you think that Limerick will have to outdo two of Clare, Tipperary, Cork and Waterford to even just qualify from Munster, you realise just how tit-for-tat it will be next year. Because all of those teams have a real point to prove next year. A written off Tipperary will be a dangerous animal while Waterford will have no shortage of motivation to light it up after last year's poor showing. Then you've Dublin emerging in Leinster to give Kilkenny, Galway a run for their money while Wexford will be gunning for an improvement in their fortunes from last year. Dublin in particular, are one to take note of this year. Pat Gilroy's men came up narrowly short on nearly every occasion in last year's championship, but they played well and the hurt of that should drive them on. This is the year for them to hit hard. Kilkenny's young guns are one year older and one year wiser now. They weren't far off last year, Brian Cody will have them primed for 2019, and they always give the league a good rattle. All of these teams will be hungry to take a shot at Limerick and it all begins with Round One of the National Hurling League on the last Saturday in January.

Round 1, Saturday, January 26

Division One A

Nowlan and Wexford will host the first two throw-ins of the hurling year. Holders Kilkenny will begin their bid to defend their title at home to Cork while reigning All-Ireland champions Limerick will touch base again with a journey to the lion's den down in the sunny-south-east to take on Davy Fitz's Wexford men of a January Saturday. The Yellow Bellies are always up for these January days. Tipperary's new manager is yet to be confirmed but he'll be eager to hit the ground running in Cusack Park.

• Kilkenny v Cork (2.00)
• Wexford v Limerick (2.00)
• Clare v Tipperary (7.00)

Division One B

Relegated last year, Waterford will be desperate to get off to a better start than last year, where a hangover from 2016's All-Ireland final followed them for too long. Galway often struggle in the early rounds of the Laois. The O'Moore men have a point to prove themselves.

• Waterford v Offaly
• Galway v Laois

You can view a full list of the fixtures here.