We take no responsibility if any of the following six players don’t even get a blade of grass, or more likely at this time of year mud, on their boots in 2016.
But we’re willing to bet that the respective inter-county managers of the teams that make up Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League will be looking to blood the chosen six in some shape or form over the next two months.
Action gets underway this Saturday night and we’ve picked six names from those in the know, and from our spies on the ground, that have led us to suspect that one of these six young men could have a large bearing on the destination of this year’s league trophy.
Tipperary: John McGrath
The elder McGrath son is back in the fold for the Premier county after his battle with cancer, and it is likely that his younger brother will take a more advanced role under the management of Michael Ryan this term.
He made his debut in last year’s league against Galway, and the dual player is likely to be much more able to withstand senior action this term after another year of conditioning work.
McGrath’s accuracy and lovely wrist work has marked him out as a serious talent since his minor days. Expect him to be a starter for most of the league, and green and white flags to follow.
Dublin: Fionn O’ Riain Broin
Not such a new name that Dublin fans will be wondering who he is, but the St Jude’s man impressed in the Walsh cup win over Wexford, and 2016 could be the year for him to kick on.
A star on the club scene for a long time now in the capital, Ger Cunningham is likely to seek some more pace and agility which he will certainly bring.
Started at wing-back in the Walsh cup success, expect him to be moved around in the league to find his best role.
Galway: Shane Moloney
No Galway fan is likely to forget the young man’s point in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final against Tipperary.
The issue now is whether new manager Michael Donoghue has the trust and confidence in the 22-year-old that missed last year’s league campaign because he wasn’t deemed fit enough by ex-manager Anthony Cunningham.
Maloney grabbed 0-5 in the Walsh cup semi-final loss to Dublin from full-forward. A permanent position may elude him come summer time, but the spring could, and should, be profitable.
Cork: Conor Twomey
The former Cork U21 player is a star for his club Newtownshandrum, and having featured this season in the Munster league loss to Clare, where he got to grips with David Reidy, above, big things are expected in 2016.
The defender is one of a number of players who new boss Kieran Kingston has drafted into the panel, and considering defence has been the Rebels weakest area, going back to the All-Ireland final loss to Clare in 2013, Twomey could be a key player this term.
Well able to take scores too, Twomey is an attacking option Cork has badly needed from their half-back line.
Waterford: Patrick Curran
No league appearance in 2015 but he did make a significant impression in championship, and a spring of action should accelerate his rapid development even further.
With Pauric Mahony still a few months away from full fitness, Curran is likely to be given more responsibility to grab crucial goal chances in a more expansive Waterford gameplan in 2016
He will not lack talent, and if there is no greater test of temperament, or strength, than an opening round clash with Kilkenny.
Kilkenny: Jason Cleere
The Bennettsbridge man is fresh from winning his second All-Ireland club medal, and should feature in this year’s league campaign after a well earned short break.
Highly rated at U21 level, even if Kilkenny are going through a fallow period at that grade at the moment, the half-back is well able to take scores too.
His biggest issue will be breaking into the Kilkenny defence, especially that midfield eight, which may prove tough. However his strength may see him included for more of the rough and tumble early rounds of the Spring action.
This weekend’s fixtures:
Saturday: Tipperary v Dublin, Semple Stadium, 7.00.
Sunday: Galway v Cork, Pearse Stadium, 2.00,
Waterford v Kilkenny, Walsh Park, 2.00
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