Three things to watch in the National Hurling League this weekend

On the opening weekend of the NHL, we wonder how Cork will cope with some big losses, if there’ll be shadow boxing in Galway and who will prevail in what is already looking like a relegation battle in Ennis.

How will Cork cope with their mini-exodus?

Harsh as it might be to say it of a team who contested a League final and an All-Ireland semi-final last year, but even those in the know in Cork would probably say that they’re a rung below the likes of Galway and Tipperary in the hurling ladder, with Kilkenny looking down at all comers from their position at the very top.

JBM’s first year in charge was always going to be about building for the challenge ahead and in that regard, the performances of the likes of Conor Lehane, Luke O’Farrell and Darren Sweetnam last season offered encouragement for the years ahead. Sweetnam’s loss to Munster Rugby is a huge one and Eoin Cadogan’s decision to throw his lot in with the footballers is a massive blow; Damien Cahalane’s decision to do likewise may be more keenly felt in the years to come.

As well as that pair, John Gardiner and Sean Óg ó hAilpín are gone of their own accord and Jimmy Barry Murphy has decided to do without Donal Óg for the time being at least, creating a void of experience in the Rebel set-up at present.

The Cork team named for Sunday features only three players over the age of 25, one of whom – Anthony Nash – plays in goal, while another – Stephen Moylan – is making his National League debut and while such a young team is exciting, JBM might need to marry that youthful exuberance with some old dogs for the hard road if it is to be a successful year on Leeside.

Shadow boxing in Pearse Stadium?

If they didn’t have enough of each other last year, Galway and Kilkenny have to go up against one another in their first proper encounter of 2013 and although there’s still plenty to look forward to, it will be a world away from the titanic battles between the sides last year.

Naming nine players from the side that started last year’s All-Ireland Final replay is a big statement from Anthony Cunningham – especially in the absence of the St. Thomas' contingent – but one gets the feeling that both Galway and their opponents on Sunday will be happy to adopt a ‘see how it goes’ approach to the league rather than go all out for glory.

The atmosphere between these two probably won't be as feisty this weekend

In the league meeting between the teams last year, Kilkenny had 25 points to spare over the Tribesmen, which gives you an indication of how league form is sometimes a misrepresentation of where a team is actually at. We don’t expect a similar result in Galway on Sunday, but no matter who emerges victorious, don’t take it as read that there will be a similar outcome if and when they meet again come the summertime.

Is Sunday’s clash in Ennis a relegation battle already?

Without meaning any disrespect whatsoever towards either Clare or Waterford, it is likely that it will be one of those sides facing the drop come the end of the league campaign.

It’s less a comment on the weaknesses of either side and more down to the strength of the rest of the teams in 1A, but it's still hard to get away from at the same time. Paddy Power seem to think so, quoting Clare at 3/1 to face the drop and Waterford at 8/13, odds perhaps influenced by John Mullane’s decision to hang up his hurl, a decision he has no intention of going back on if his most recent comments are anything to go by.

Michael Ryan’s side will be further hampered by the loss of Stephen Molumphy, Eoin Kelly and Philip Mahony, big blows for a side who looked set for the drop last year until a late revival in their last two games.

As for Clare, their success in the Waterford Crystal Cup won’t have a huge bearing on their league campaign, but it will give them some momentum and that, tallied with home advantage, gives them the edge in Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon.

Whoever does come out on top, those two points could well be the difference between survival and relegation when it comes to the crunch later on.