2018 Munster Hurling League confirmed for 2017 start as fixtures are released

The first shots of the 2018 GAA season will be fired in 2017 in Munster.

Provincial chiefs yesterday confirmed that next season’s Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League will begin on Saturday, December 30, with Cork facing Limerick in a repeat of last year’s final. Clare will host Kerry in Ennis on the same date.

With Waterford and Tipperary not participating in the competition, the tournament will be run off in a round-robin format with games also fixed for January 7 and 14.

The final will be played on January 21 — a week before the start of the Allianz Hurling League.

Munster Council chairman Jerry O’Sullivan said: “I am pleased that the Munster Council is in a position to facilitate these four counties in organising a competition that will provide them with a great opportunity to prepare for the very competitive Allianz Leagues.

“I am delighted to welcome Co-Op Superstores as the competition sponsor once again.”

Co-Op Superstores is the retail division of Dairygold Co-Operative.

Round 1 (December 30):

Clare v Kerry, Ennis; Cork v Limerick, Mallow.

Round 2 (January 7):

Limerick v Kerry, Gaelic Ground; Clare v Cork, Ennis.

Round 3 (January 14):

Limerick v Clare, Gaelic Grounds, Kerry v Cork, Austin Stack Park.

Final:

January 21.