2018 marks the 26th season that Allianz has sponsored the Allianz Hurling Leagues, making it one of the longest sponsorships in Irish sport. Allianz and the GAA today announced the renewal of Allianz’s partnership with GAAGO which will make over 50 live Allianz League matches available to global audiences.

It’s an earlier start and finish than usual for this year’s Allianz Hurling League, guaranteeing eight weeks of high-powered action across six Divisions between the first round next weekend and the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 final which will have a Saturday evening setting on March 24th.

Galway head into the new season as Allianz League (Division 1) and All-Ireland champions after an outstanding 2017, during which they lost only one game (to Wexford). 

That defeat cost them promotion so the Tribesmen will again be in Division 1B, the group that produced the outright winners in 2015 (Waterford) and 2016 (Clare). It leaves Kilkenny in 2014 as the last winners to emerge from Division 1A.

Galway begin their 1B campaign in Pearse Stadium on Sunday against Antrim, who have come up from Division 2A.

The distinction of launching the new season falls to Dublin and Offaly, who meet in a 1B clash in Croke Park on Saturday (5pm), after which Dublin and Kildare footballers begin their 1A campaign (7pm).

Both Dublin and Offaly will be under new management, with former football manager, Pat Gilroy taking over the Dubs, while Kevin Martin, who won All-Ireland medals in 1994 and 1998, begins his stint in Offaly. John Meyler (Cork) is the only other new manager in Division 1.

The Leesiders, who last won the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 title twenty years ago, will also be in action on Saturday, playing Kilkenny in Pairc Ui Chaoimh (7.0). Tipperary, runners-up to Galway in last year’s Allianz League, travel to Ennis for their opening game on Sunday while Wexford take on Waterford in Walsh Park.

There have been four different winners of the Allianz Hurling Division 1 title over the four last seasons: Galway 2017; Clare 2016; Waterford 2015; Kilkenny 2014.

Commenting on the launch of the 2018 Allianz Hurling League, Seán McGrath, CEO Allianz Ireland said: “2018 marks the 26th year of our partnership with the GAA as sponsors of the Allianz Leagues. In the time we have witnessed the Allianz Hurling Leagues grow in stature to become one of the highlights of the GAA calendar and we look forward to another season of high intensity and competitive action.

"We believe Gaelic Games is one of the most important global exports this country has to offer and Allianz is extremely proud to support the GAA in bringing our games to an international audience as we announce the renewal of our partnership with GAAGO for the coming Allianz League season."

Peter McKenna, GAA Commercial Director & Croke Park Stadium Director, said: "Another Allianz League campaign beckons and if 2018 can match last year's excitement levels then GAAGO viewers can really look forward to more fantastic action direct to their connected devices no matter where they are in the world in the coming months.

"We are delighted to continue our partnership with Allianz around our coverage who are a perfect fit for the service, given their long-standing competition association. More than 50 Allianz League games will be broadcast on GAAGO.ie with a huge opening weekend in store this coming Saturday, January 27th.”

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail said:  “2018 marks a special milestone in our longstanding support of Gaelic Games as we enter the 26th year of our relationship with Allianz as sponsors of our leagues.

“Over the course of this sponsorship, we have witnessed these competitions grow, evolve and develop at all levels and rarely, if ever, have the competitions generated the momentum they have in recent years.

We look forward with great excitement to the opening of the 2018 season and to the years to come.”

The first round games are as follows:

January 27th – Saturday

**Div 1A: **Cork v Kilkenny, Pairc Ui Chaoimh

Div 1B: Dublin v Offaly, Croke Park

January 28th – Sunday

Div 1A: Clare v Tipperary; Cusack Park; Waterford v Wexford, Walsh Park.

Div 1B: Galway v Antrim, Pearse Stadium; Limerick v Laois, Gaelic Grounds.

Div 2A: London v Kerry, McGovern Park, Ruislip; Kildare v Meath, Newbridge; Carlow v Westmeath, Network Cullen Park.

Div 2B: Derry v Down, Owenbeg; Wicklow v Armagh, Joule Park, Aughrim; Mayo v Donegal, Castlebar.

Div 3A:  Roscommon v Louth, Dr. Hyde Park; Tyrone v Warwickshire, Omagh; Longford v Monaghan. Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.

Div 3B: Fermanagh v Lancashire, Randalstown; Sligo v Leitrim, Markievicz Park.