Division 1B could actually suit us pver the next few months. We’ve a group of players who need exposure at this level, and the league gives them a chance to find their feet. By the business end of it, you’d expect some of the more established lads to be back fit, which should leave us with a better blend and something to have a proper go at Leinster with.

Looking at last year’s newer or returning players, there are plenty who showed well in the Walsh Cup, even if only in small glimpses, to suggest they can push on: Sean Gallagher, Davy Keogh, Dara Purcell, DOD, David Purcell, David Lucey, Conal O’Riain. Add in a welcome return of Eoghan O’Donnell and the best of last years tea and there's scope for improvement.

From the lads making their debuts, three in particular look like they should be pushing hard for match-day panels:
Conor Groarke, Ollie Gaffney and Cathal Kennedy.

There were other decent debuts too: Conor Murray, Tom Brennan and a few more, but realistically they may need a bit more time. When you add the stronger new options to last year’s fifteen, there’s genuine competition for places now, which hasn’t always been the case.

It’s also worth noting that we still haven’t seen a few from last year’s panel yet, so the full picture isn’t even clear. All told, the league feels less about results early on and more about building depth, minutes and momentum — with the hope that by March, we’re starting to look like a settled, competitive unit.