Clare hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald has never denied that he wants to win every game, be it challenge, tournament or championship. So it didn’t come as any surprise when he said “our main goal is to stay in division 1 and to win as many games as we can” when asked about the 2013 Hurling League. Now in his second year as Clare manager he said, “When we came in we were playing teams from Laois, Antrim, Wexford, Offaly, Carlow and we were struggling in a lot of those games. I’d like to think that we have come up a level from that but we have a nice bit to go”. “We are not going to change things overnight,” said the All-Star goalkeeper. “Galway and Limerick have had more success than Clare at minor and U-21 levels and haven’t achieved. It’s how we harness the talent we have after winning at underage that is important”. “We have to come …

Contrary to general opinion, kilkenny always try to win the league, according to selector, Martin Fogarty.

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Jimmy Barry Murphy, in his second season of his second term as Cork senior hurling manager, believes that the upcoming league will be very competitive.

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Like his fellow Division 1 managers, Tipperary’s Eamonn O’Shea (pictured) believes the league this year is very competitive. The six teams are very close to each other at any time and all games will be competitive. There will be no easy game for any of the teams.”

“The longer we remain in the league, the better” said Galway manager Anthony Cunningham ahead of the 2013 campaign. The first round will see Galway entertain the league and All-Ireland champions, Kilkenny.

The meeting of Clare and Waterford in the opening round of the league will have no bearing on what will happen when championship time comes around, Waterford manager Michael Ryan believes.