1. Tipperary v Cork – Munster SHC
There were audible gasps in both counties when they were paired together in next year’s Munster SHC quarter-final.
There’s so much riding on this game for the respective managers, Cork’s Kieran Kingston and Tipperary’s Michael Ryan.
For both men, it will be their first championship outing with the ‘Bainisteoir’ bib on their backs and defeat is not an option.
Kingston and Ryan have big shoes to fill as they step into roles vacated by two hugely-popular men.
Kingston’s predecessor Jimmy Barry-Murphy is a legend on Leeside and former Tipp boss Eamon O’Shea was revered by the players.
2. Dublin v Wexford – Leinster SHC
Dublin and Wexford renew acquaintances once again in the Leinster championship, and defeat for either team would leave them on a very sticky wicket.
Wexford made significant progress under Liam Dunne in 2014, but failed to build on that this year, crashing out of the Leinster championship when they were hammered by Kilkenny before Cork scuttled them in the qualifiers.
For Dublin, it’s a massive season ahead too for their manager Ger Cunningham.
The former Cork netminder endured a mix bag this year, suffering a mauling in the Leinster championship replay before the Sky Blues bounced back with a qualifier victory over Limerick in Thurles.
Their campaign ended at the quarter-final stage, however, when a well-drilled Waterford outfit prevailed by five points at Semple Stadium.
Wexford and Dublin last met in championship fare in 2014, when the Dubs won the Leinster semi-final at Wexford Park.
3. Dublin/Wexford v Kilkenny – Leinster SHC
For the winners of Dublin and Wexford, the dubious reward is a Leinster semi-final against Kilkenny.
The Cats will feel confident of seeing off either of those opponents comfortably and can now tailor their training towards a Leinster final peak.
It’s four steps to Heaven again for the Noresiders, provided they win the Leinster semi-final and final, before coming through two games in the All-Ireland series.
A Leinster title for Wexford or Dublin is highly unlikely, given that they would have to win three games to do it – and potentially see off both Kilkenny and Galway along the way to claim the Bob O’Keeffe Cup.
The way the Eastern province draw has panned out, it’s set up for another Galway-Kilkenny decider.
4. Waterford v Clare – Munster SHC
What a mouthwatering prospect lies in store here.
Derek McGrath, manager of Waterford, against Clare and Davy Fitzgerald, the ex-Déise boss.
It was probably the draw neither wanted, as Clare are expected to emerge as a serious force again next year, with dual star Podge Collins possibly back on board.
McGrath and Fitzgerald, off the field, are good friends and regularly bounce ideas off each other.
But that friendship will be put to one side for 70 minutes next summer and it’s unlikely that the phone calls between the pair will be as frequent over the coming months.
Thurles looks set to be the venue for this Munster semi-final one and for Semple Stadium, it looks set to be another bumper summer.
5. Cork or Tipperary v Limerick – Munster SHC
Limerick have been handed a straight passage to the Munster semi-final but they won’t be able to plan for a specific opponent until after Cork and Tipp do battle in the quarter-final.
It’s a double-edged sword for the Shannonsiders in that they know a victory opens up their summer but they’ll come up against a team with 70 minutes of championship fare under their belts, and some momentum.
Historically in recent years, Munster quarter-final winners have done well at the semi-final stage but Limerick were blown away by Tipp in this year’s provincial campaign, despite having beaten Clare.
If it’s Tipp again, the Premier County will have home advantage but Limerick will host Cork if the Rebels emerge, as Páirc Uí Chaoimh was the venue for the Munster final between the counties in 2014.
The first goal for Limerick, however, is to finally get out of Division 1B of the Allianz League.
