Players to watch in the up-coming Allianz National Hurling Leagues

The Allianz NHL gets underway this evening with some mouth-watering fixtures from the very start, including Cork v Kilkenny in Páirc Uí Rinn and Dublin v Tipperary in Parnell Park tomorrow.

Each season we see players make the jump from success at underage level and showing potential to become established senior stars.

Here are four players we think could have a breakthrough season in 2015.

Liam Ryan - Wexford

Liam Ryan made his Championship debut in May and was a vital part of Wexford's championship qualifier run. A lot of attention last year went to his fellow u21s Conor Mcdonald and Jack Guiney who lit up the Model county attack line.

But any team with serious aspirations also needs a solid defence, and at corner back Ryan is making himself an integral part of the team. The Rapparees club man is related to Kilkenny captain Lester Ryan and similar performances this year could see the defender become as well known as his cousin.

Padraig Brehony - Galway

Another U21 star primed for a big year in the senior ranks is Padraig Brehony, who was the only Tribesman named in the U21 team of the year after an outstanding campaign. Brehony, who won a minor All-Ireland with Galway in 2011, hurls for the Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry club and can play in midfield or at half-forward.

He scored 1-6 in the U21s' semi-final defeat to Wexford and Anthony Cunningham will be hoping for similar scoring from the player for the seniors this season.

Chris Crummey - Dublin

At 6'5", towering Chris Crummey of Lucan Sarsfields is hard to miss on the hurling field. His height and strength give him an obvious advantage under high balls and a powerful long puck. The 21-year-old was part of the Dublin minor panel that won the Leinster Championship in 2011.

The half-back, who also plays in the forwards for his club, was on the fringes of Dublin's senior panel last season. Ger Cunningham has chosen him to start against Tipp this weekend and Crummey will be hoping he can establish himself in the starting 15 under the new management.

Cian Lynch - Limerick

Cian Lynch makes his League debut for Limerick on Saturday night, lining out against Waterford in the Shannonsiders opening league game.

Lynch only turned 19 last month but is expected to have a big year at senior level after captaining the minors to an All-Ireland final last season. The Patrickswell club man is also a talented soccer player but, as befits a nephew of Limerick legend Ciarán Carey, has chosen to focus his attention on hurling.